While the New Jersey Nets players are a little disappointed they didn’t come away from Q-Arena in Cleveland with at least a split with the Cavaliers, they do have confidence a sweep is in order for the two games (Saturday and Monday) to be played at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford.
“We're a little disappointed with the first two games against Cleveland, but why get frustrated,” said Nets forward Richard Jefferson. “You're playing against a quality team. You're on the road in a hostile environment. And in the last few minutes, they made the plays that they needed to. So, why get frustrated? You're doing a lot of good things. Now, it's a matter of you coming home.
The Nets need to make plays to beat this good Cavaliers team, a group Jefferson says are not a good field goal percentage team. “That’s why those guy’s hit the glass. In order for those guys to score and get buckets they have to be active on the glass.
With the change of scenery, the Nets need to change the skewed rebounding numbers. In a series where both teams have stayed close throughout the games, the Cavaliers’ total offensive rebounding advantage of 39-12 was too much to overcome for the Nets. It leads to second chance points for the Cavaliers, stifles the Nets much needed fast break attack, and as Jason Kidd said at practice on Friday, “can wear on you.”
Online sportsbook BetUS is currently showing the Nets as a home favorite by a -5.0 point chalk and carrying -230 on the money line while Cleveland is getting +190 ml juice. The total is holding at 186.
The Cavaliers are currently on a 10-game winning streak that began a month ago on April 12 in the Meadowlands against the Nets. In that game the Cavaliers came away with a lopsided 18 point win and covering the -6.0 spread. Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last six games.
New Jersey is 8-4 SU and 9-2-1 ATS over its last 12 games and has won its last five games SU at home. The total has gone OVER in four of New Jersey’s last six games.
I think the Nets experience will help carry them past the Cavaliers in what should be a hard fought battle.
