PREMIUM
Rogers' ESPN Friday SHOWCASE >> Cavs/Hawks!
(NBA) Cleveland vs. Atlanta,
Total: 214.00 | -106.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 214.00 | -106.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 41-18 Cavs lost at Boston on Wednesday but still own the East's best record by a margin of three games. They will continue a three-game road trip Friday night in Atlanta when the take on the 34-26 Hawks, who will play the second of of a six-game homestand. The Hawks and Cavs haven't played since Nov. 8, when Atlanta won 110-106 in Cleveland.
Cleveland: LBJ was vocal in declaring the Cavs needed help to get where they needed to be (as defending champs) and the front office responded by signing free agent Deron Williams on Feb. 27. Williams averaged 13.1-2.6-6.9 in 40 games with Dallas this season and scored four points in 23 minutes in his Cleveland debut on Wednesday. Cleveland will also shortly add center Andrew Bogut, who signed as a free agent and is likely to join the team in Miami on Saturday. Bogut was averaging 3.0 points and 8.3 rebounds with the Mavericks. "He brings a physicality, a shot-blocking presence, a guy who can pass the ball at the 5 position and that's what we needed," Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue said. Of course, the Cavs still have LBJ (25.7-8.0-8.9) and Kyrie (24.7 & 5.9 APG) plus by playoff time (hopefully?), Kevin Love (20.0 & 11.1).
Atlanta: The Hawks currently sit fifth in the East, 1 1/2 games behind No. 4 seed Toronto and 7 1/2 games back of top-seeded Cleveland. Atlanta is hoping (expecting?) that this extended string of home games (six in a row) will allow them to improve its standing in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks got off on the right foot with a 100-95 Wednesday win over the Mavs, although it was hardly an impressive effort. Clearly, the Cavs will be a much tougher assignment. The Hawks traded Korver to the Cavs and Tim Hardaway Jr. has the biggest beneficiary in the wake of Korver's departure. He had a modest 10 points on Wednesday (although he did nail a key three-pointer late in the 100-95 win) and has now reached double digits in 15 straight games. The Hawks also made a trade deadline move, bringing in veteran power forward Ersan Ilyasova (14.8 & 5.9 in 53 games with Phily), who went 4-of-4 from three-point range on Wednesday and finished with 18 points.
The pick: The Hawks have played more unders (16) than overs (13) at home this season and this game should have a 'playoff feel,' which favors the under. Make the Under an 8* play.
Cleveland: LBJ was vocal in declaring the Cavs needed help to get where they needed to be (as defending champs) and the front office responded by signing free agent Deron Williams on Feb. 27. Williams averaged 13.1-2.6-6.9 in 40 games with Dallas this season and scored four points in 23 minutes in his Cleveland debut on Wednesday. Cleveland will also shortly add center Andrew Bogut, who signed as a free agent and is likely to join the team in Miami on Saturday. Bogut was averaging 3.0 points and 8.3 rebounds with the Mavericks. "He brings a physicality, a shot-blocking presence, a guy who can pass the ball at the 5 position and that's what we needed," Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue said. Of course, the Cavs still have LBJ (25.7-8.0-8.9) and Kyrie (24.7 & 5.9 APG) plus by playoff time (hopefully?), Kevin Love (20.0 & 11.1).
Atlanta: The Hawks currently sit fifth in the East, 1 1/2 games behind No. 4 seed Toronto and 7 1/2 games back of top-seeded Cleveland. Atlanta is hoping (expecting?) that this extended string of home games (six in a row) will allow them to improve its standing in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks got off on the right foot with a 100-95 Wednesday win over the Mavs, although it was hardly an impressive effort. Clearly, the Cavs will be a much tougher assignment. The Hawks traded Korver to the Cavs and Tim Hardaway Jr. has the biggest beneficiary in the wake of Korver's departure. He had a modest 10 points on Wednesday (although he did nail a key three-pointer late in the 100-95 win) and has now reached double digits in 15 straight games. The Hawks also made a trade deadline move, bringing in veteran power forward Ersan Ilyasova (14.8 & 5.9 in 53 games with Phily), who went 4-of-4 from three-point range on Wednesday and finished with 18 points.
The pick: The Hawks have played more unders (16) than overs (13) at home this season and this game should have a 'playoff feel,' which favors the under. Make the Under an 8* play.
