Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 20-15, as they’re coming off a blowout loss to the Washington Wizards.
The Atlanta Hawks, on the other hand, are 15-19, as they’re heading into this game as losers of three straight games.
Betting Odds & Lines
The spread for Saturday night is set at CLE -1.5. The over/under is sitting at 215.5 points.
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Kevin Love Continues to Shoot the Ball Well
Kevin Love was a bright spot in the Cavs’ loss to the Wizards, as he put up 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds.
Love was seen as an overpriced veteran who was over the hill entering the season, but he has completely erased that perception this season, as he has stepped up as a leader by accepting a role off the bench this season while thriving on the court.
Over his last seven games, Love is averaging 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, as it has been increasingly important for him to step up with Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland all being out of the lineup at times during this stretch.
Love’s leadership becomes even more important now that Ricky Rubi’s season is done due to a torn ACL injury.
Evan Mobley Looking Good Following Absence
Evan Mobley was placed in the health and safety protocols, as that caused him to miss four games. However, in his last two games, he’s putting up averages of 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.
He’s doing most of his damage within 10 feet of the rim, averaging over 70 percent shooting on those looks.
Mobley has a great shot at winning Rookie of the Year, and if he keeps performing like this, he will definitely at least finish in the top three in the race.
Trae Young Heating it Up
Trae Young was out for three games after being placed into the health and safety protocols, but in his two games back, he’s hardly missed a beat, as he’s averaging 27.5 points and 10.0 assists in his two games back.
Ironically, Young hasn’t shot the 3-pointer well, going just 3-of-13 shooting from downtown in his two games back.
However, Young’s floater is also very dangerous, as he’s shooting close to 50 percent from the field within 10 feet of the basket.
Young’s poor 3-point shooting is more of an aberration than anything, however, so don’t be surprised if he rediscovers his stroke in this one.
Hawks Win
The line may favor the Cavs, but it’s the Hawks who desperately need a win more than anything.
A year removed from making the Eastern Conference Finals, Atlanta now finds themselves four games under .500 and a half-game out of a play-in spot.
They haven’t been playing up to their fullest potential this season as a collective unit, but it’s still early enough that they can get on a roll and turn their season around.
Expect the Hawks to take advantage of a decimated Cavs team and win.
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