Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Bet Preview & Predictions

The banged up Cleveland Cavaliers are going to try their luck on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Cavs are +9.5 point underdogs.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Undermanned is an understatement for the Cavaliers on Wednesday, as they will be without Lauri Markkanen (COVID), Collin Sexton (knee), Lamar Stevens (ankle), Jarrett Allen (illness), and Evan Mobley (elbow). Forward Kevin Love will be likely making his return after a long stay on the NBA's COVID-19 list.

Even with Love, this team is going to have to dig deep without many of their key players. Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Ricky Rubio, and Cedi Osman are the lone Cavaliers that have received meaningful minutes throughout this season.

Head coach J.B, Bickerstaff will likely toy with lineups including Tacko Fall.

They haven't scored 100 points since November 7, and being undermanned won't help the offense at all.

Despite being banged up, the Cavs are still 9-6. Expect them to battle. That's their mantra. But they're big underdogs here for a reason.

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Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are not exactly a bill of health, either.

As everyone knows, Kyrie Irving won't be playing in this game. But neither will Joe Harris (ankle), Paul Millsap (personal), and Nicolas Claxton (illness).

The good news for Brooklyn is that they employ James Harden and Kevin Durant. That should be enough tonight.

Without Mobley or Markkanen, the Cavaliers don't have a reliable player to stick with Durant all night. Maybe Dean Wade will get a try.

It's probable that Okoro will split time defending KD and Harden. (Good luck with that, by the way).

The Pick

This pains me to say, but give me the Nets -9.5. It's our first look at these Cavaliers without Mobley, and I'm not sure how they can hang with Durant. 

If Bickerstaff finds a way to pull this out, print the Coach of the Year award now.