Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 3-21-2023

The Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28, 38-32-3 ATS) are firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with only one team within three games of them on either side for the fourth seed. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are in the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot but only one game ahead of the Miami Heat. Neither side wants to fall from their spot, and with only a few weeks left, now is the worst time to drop. Let's see who will leave Barclays Center with a win when these clubs collide at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

No team in the NBA has a higher net rating than the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that starts with the top defensive rating in the league this season. They allow the fewest points and three-point attempts per game. The Cavs' defense is ninth in effective field goal percentage allowed while owning the fourth-highest turnover percentage. Behind the league's slowest pace, Cleveland frustrates most opposing offenses. 

Meanwhile, Cleveland's offense is ninth in offensive rating. Led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, Cleveland owns the sixth-best field goal percentage in the NBA, with the third-highest percentage on shots at the rim. The Cavs also protect the ball, with a 13.0% turnover rate, which is ninth in the league. 

Cleveland has had some issues on the road this season, with just a 16-20 record. Against the spread, their record is 15-19-2. Jarrett Allen has also been out since March 10 with an eye injury, and he's questionable for this one.

In the four games Allen has missed, Cleveland is 3-1 after dispatching the Wizards on Friday. The Cavaliers never trailed in the 117-94 win, outplaying the Wizards in nearly every aspect of the game. That includes a 78-48 scoring edge in the paint.

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