PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA Total DOMINATION (6:05 ET!) >> 2-0 Monday! 23-13 Past 7 Days!
(NBA) Houston vs. Cleveland,
11/01/2016 2:00 PM, Score: 120 - 128
Total: 217.50 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 217.50 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Cavs have moved up the start time of this game to 6:05 ET, as the Indians will be hosting the Cubs in Game 6 of the World Series, starting at 8:05 ET, right around the corner. The Cavs have opened defense of their NBA title 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS and the Rockets come in 2-1 SU & 1-2 ATS but having won seven of the past eight meetings between the two teams (this marks LBJ's third season back in Cleveland).
Houston: This is now "Harden's team" and he's posting LBJ-like numbers so far at 29.3-7.3-10.7. Eric Gordon is averaging 17.0 PPG but the shooting guard rarely stay healthy for too long. Ariza (12.7 & 5.7) has always been a solid starter and Anderson (11.0- & 7.3) has taken on the new role of starter, not the indispensible sixth-man.
Cleveland: LBJ began promoting Kyrie Irving as a future Most Valuable Player candidate last season and Irving has opened by leading the team with 25.0 PPG on 46.0% shooting, including 50.0 percent on threes. LBJ is playing like LBJ (21.0-8.3-10.) and the third member of the "Big 3," Kevin Love, is also averaging 20.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG.
The pick: There were tons of questions regarding whether offensive-minded coach Mike D'Antoni could get this group to play defense but if the team's 93-92 Sunday win over Dallas is any indication, the answer may just be yes. Houston held the Mavs to
38.1 percent from the floor, including 11 of 30 on threes. It's not good news though that sharpshooter Ryan Anderson is off to a slow start from the three-point line in his first season in Houston, going just 3 of 10 from behind the arc. Speaking of shooting woes to open the season, J.R. Smith, who missed most of the preseason before signing a four-year, $72 million deal, was certainly rusty and out of rhythm when he went just 6-of-21 shooting over the first two contests. Having three 20-point scorers on the team allows one to overlook the fact that Cleveland is holding opponents to just 92.7 PPG (3rd-best) on 40.2 percent shooting (ranks 1st). However, I will not overlook that, and will make the Under a 10* play.
Houston: This is now "Harden's team" and he's posting LBJ-like numbers so far at 29.3-7.3-10.7. Eric Gordon is averaging 17.0 PPG but the shooting guard rarely stay healthy for too long. Ariza (12.7 & 5.7) has always been a solid starter and Anderson (11.0- & 7.3) has taken on the new role of starter, not the indispensible sixth-man.
Cleveland: LBJ began promoting Kyrie Irving as a future Most Valuable Player candidate last season and Irving has opened by leading the team with 25.0 PPG on 46.0% shooting, including 50.0 percent on threes. LBJ is playing like LBJ (21.0-8.3-10.) and the third member of the "Big 3," Kevin Love, is also averaging 20.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG.
The pick: There were tons of questions regarding whether offensive-minded coach Mike D'Antoni could get this group to play defense but if the team's 93-92 Sunday win over Dallas is any indication, the answer may just be yes. Houston held the Mavs to
38.1 percent from the floor, including 11 of 30 on threes. It's not good news though that sharpshooter Ryan Anderson is off to a slow start from the three-point line in his first season in Houston, going just 3 of 10 from behind the arc. Speaking of shooting woes to open the season, J.R. Smith, who missed most of the preseason before signing a four-year, $72 million deal, was certainly rusty and out of rhythm when he went just 6-of-21 shooting over the first two contests. Having three 20-point scorers on the team allows one to overlook the fact that Cleveland is holding opponents to just 92.7 PPG (3rd-best) on 40.2 percent shooting (ranks 1st). However, I will not overlook that, and will make the Under a 10* play.
