The Phoenix Suns (44-31) are still looking to surge into the playoff spots this season, and they will be keen to record back-to-back wins when they welcome the banged-up Cleveland Cavaliers (46-30) to Footprint Center, Phoenix on Wednesday.
The game gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET tonight, and Bet Rivers has the Suns listed as 5.5-point favorites (-108). The injury issues for the road team here are playing a major factor in how the oddsmakers have set their line. The total for the game is currently set at O/U 226.5. Be sure to take a look at our best bet below!
Last Time Out
Fortunately for the Cavs, their chances of reaching the postseason appear already wrapped up as they sit in third-place in the Eastern Conference. Excellent streaks during the winter months have largely aided that cause, as their recent run certainly is not.
Cleveland are just 6-9 over their last 15, but did manage to avoid successive defeats last night in a 129-113 triumph on the road to the Utah Jazz. That saw them bounce back from a blowout 130-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. However, the Cavaliers have still only won just three of their last eight in the NBA.
As for Phoenix, they have won five of their last seven games, but are still a game back from the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans. Every win matters right now, and their 124-111 victory against the Pelicans on Monday was monumental. They must ensure that streak continues tonight.
The Suns will be searching for their third straight home win here after beating the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers in their last two games on their own court. With a home record of 23-14 this season, the hosts will feel confident in finding another victory over the Cavs in this one.
Injuries & Team News
Star guard Donovan Mitchell has been banged up recently for the visitors and his absence is the primary reason for their drop in form. He managed to briefly return for recent games against the Sixers and the Nuggets, but failed to play against the Jazz.
Mitchell’s status will be key to how tonight’s matchup will play out, however, he is not the only player out for Cleveland. They are also expected to be without Craig Porter, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade and Ty Jerome.
Damion Lee (knee) has been ruled out for the Suns ahead of the game. Starter Grayson Allen is also questionable due to a hip problem, limiting their depth. Nevertheless, Phoenix still has plenty of scoring options on the roster.
Head-to-Head
With just one previous meeting so far this season, it’s the Suns who are leading the series 1-0. They secured a 117-111 win in Ohio last month with Kevin Durant putting up a game-high 37 points. The trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal all managed to score 24+ points and will be difficult to stop again this time around.
Betting Trends & Stats
The Cavs will need their defense to contain the likes of Durant, Booker and Beal if they are to have a chance at winning. They have allowed just the seventh-most points per game (ppg) across the NBA this season, though, averaging just 109.8. However, they have leaked 113.4 ppg over their last five, including 130 against Denver.
It’s not much of a surprise to see the Suns ranked tenth in terms of ppg this season (116.8). Although, it has been a bit hit and miss of late, averaging just 112.8 ppg over their last five. They have also failed to hit 110 points in three of those outings. Still, a 52-point game from Booker last time out means he is heading into this one hot.
Overall, Phoenix has struggled against the spread (ATS) this season, and their home record hasn’t been much better. They rank in the bottom five ATS on their own court, covering in just 38.9% of games. Nevertheless, they have a rest advantage tonight where they are 9-10-1 ATS.
That advantage bodes well for the hosts as the Cavs are just 8-12-1 ATS when at a rest disadvantage. They have also failed to cover the spread in over 50% of their road games, and are just 9-9-0 as road underdogs.
Key Players
The health of the Cavs’ leading points scorer in Mitchell will be crucial in the outcome of this game. He averages 26.8 ppg this season which puts him inside the top 10 across the league. The likes of Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Caris LeVert all have the ability to put up plenty of points, though, with the former scoring at least 20 in each of his last three games.
Ranking fifth and sixth respectively across the NBA in terms of ppg, Durant and Booker are the stars for the Suns. Cleveland will have to try and limit their scoring ability tonight, but KD is also coming into this one pretty hot, averaging 26.0 ppg over his past five. He has also sunk at least three three-pointers in each of his last four.
Best Bet
It will be important to keep an eye out for the injury status of Mitchell as we approach tip-off. However, he has still been pretty banged up of late and will unlikely be at full capacity even if he does play. That means the Suns have a great chance at winning this one either way.
Phoenix has been shooting well recently, and the Cavs’ defense hasn’t been as reliable in recent games as it has been throughout the year. A win means more for the Suns, and we can see them covering the spread like they did in the previous matchup last month.
Phoenix Suns -5.5 (-108 with Bet Rivers)
