The Cleveland Cavaliers (31-20) visit Toyota Center Wednesday to take on the Houston Rockets (14-36). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cavaliers vs. Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers are coming off a 93-90 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans Monday but failed to cover the spread as 4.5-point favorites.
The Cavaliers are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10 games but 30-19-2 ATS for the season to rank as the third-best covering team in the NBA. Cleveland has won 8 of its last 10 and is 15-11 on the road this season.
Houston enters on a four-game skid, is 7-16 at home this season and just 4-6 ATS over its last 10. C Christian Wood is the Rockets’ leading scorer, averaging 17.7 points per game.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA February 2 breakdown
Cavaliers at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:01 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Cavaliers -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Rockets +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread: Cavaliers -5.5 (-105) | Rockets +5.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Cavaliers at Rockets key injuries
Cavaliers
- PG Darius Garland (back) out
- PF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) out
Rockets
- None
Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Cavaliers at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 114, Rockets 107
Money line
PASS.
The Cavaliers are too banged up to be as expensive as -210 on the money line, although I do like them to cover on the road.
Against the spread
BET CAVALIERS -5.5 (-105).
The Rockets have failed to cover three straight, all at home. Two of those were by a spread under 5 points. Houston, while it has been able to hang around for a few quarters, lost all three games by double figures as well.
The Cavaliers will again prove to be too much as their stout defense will meet one of the most inefficient offenses. The Cavaliers allow the fewest points per game at just 102.2 and hold opponents to the fifth-worst shooting percentage and sixth-worst from deep.
Considering the Cavaliers thrive by having elite size and length in C Evan Mobley and C Jarrett Allen, the Rockets may struggle to get Wood going. Houston ranks 21st in field-goal percentage.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 219.5 (-108).
While the Cavaliers do have a stout defense, the Rockets, at home, could control the pace of the game. Houston hasn’t had a total close at Under 230 for 8 consecutive games.
Four of those have gone Over as well, partially because of the Rockets’ pace and scoring but mainly because of their lacking defense, which surrendered 122 points or more in their last 3 outings.
The Cavaliers may be without key scoring options, but they’ll still have enough with PF Kevin Love and their two dominant big men to score at will, which should cause Houston to run more and subsequently the Over to hit.
It feels like the better play despite Cleveland’s strong defense.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]