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The Brooklyn Nets will be getting back star point guard Kyrie Irving when they play the Cleveland Cavs on Tuesday night. This will be first game that the Nets will have Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant all in the starting lineup.
Brooklyn is coming off a 125-123 victory over Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, extending their winning-streak to four games. The Nets got excellent performances from both Durant and Harden, who outplayed the Bucks’ star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Antetokounmpo and Middleton combined for 59 of the Bucks’ 123 total points. As for Brooklyn, Harden recorded a team-high 34 points (13-25 FG, 3-10 3pt) 12 assists, and six rebounds. Durant pitched in with 30 points (10-21 FG, 2-4 3pt), nine rebounds, and six assists. Overall, every Nets starter was in double-figures, which offset the lackluster bench production.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are coming off of 106-103 win over the New York Knicks last week to snap their three-game losing streak. In that game, it was the Andre Drummond show as the Cavs’ big man recorded a double-double consisting of 33 points and 23 rebounds. He was one of five Cleveland starters that scored at least 10 points.
What can we expect from these two squads on Wednesday night in Irving’s return? And who should you pick against the spread? To answer those questions and more, here is our pick against the spread and a player prop you need to watch out for. Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Nets -10
The line for Wednesday night’s contest is set at 10 points with the Nets being favored on the road. Seeing a spread this large might scare some bettors, but seeing the firepower that the Nets possess, they could easily cover this number. In their last 13 road games dating back to last season, the Nets have a record of 9-4. But in their last five games, Brooklyn has a record of 3-2 against the spread.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have not fared well in their last seven games against the spread. The only have a record of 2-5 and a reason for that is they are without Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Kevin Love due to injuries. Without that trio and starting backcourt, the Cavs have had to lean on Cedi Osman, Larry Nance Jr. and Andre Drummond. Cleveland should be able to score down low against the Nets, but the Nets have too much offense on the perimeter.
Player Prop: Joe Harris O2.5 3-pointers (+105)
With Kyrie Irving making his return to the starting lineup on Wednesday night that likely means Joe Harris will be coming off of the bench. This season, Harris is averaging 15 points per game and shooting an efficient 51.1 percent from behind the arc on 6.1 attempts per game.
Harris now becomes the Nets’ sixth man and should see a considerable amount of minutes on the floor with a combination of Irving, Durant, and Harden. In regards to his prop bet, I think it’s a winner. In 15 games played this season, the 29-year-old sharp shooter has went over 2.5 threes made eight times. Also, he's making 3.8 three-pointers per game on 7.3 attempts during the Nets’ four-game winning streak. It also helps that the Cavs are allowing teams to shoot 39.5 percent from three and 42.2 percent in their last three games.
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