Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets Betting Preview
March 28, 2016
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 29, 8:00 PM
Venue: Quick Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
Head to head record
Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers 77-91 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers 105-103 (2014/2015 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houstone Rockets 93-105 (2014/2015 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets 90-96 (2014 NBA Las Vegas Summer League)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets 111-118 (2013/2014 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets prediction
Having outplayed New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening, Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to clinch top position in the Eastern Conference with a victory over Houston Rockets, who are desperate to book their place in the NBA play-offs.
Irving is back
As expected, Cleveland Cavaliers managed to bounce back from a 104-95 defeat to Brooklyn Nets, with the team beating New York Knicks (107-93) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. LeBron James scored 27 points in the triumph over Knicks and they will be looking to build on the performance when they square off against Houston Rockets at Quick Loans Arena. Tyronn Lue’s men are after their fourth consecutive win at home and it has to be noted that the Eastern Conference leaders have already recorded 30 victories at their Quick Loans Arena in the 2015/2016 NBA campaign. Coach Tyronn Lue rested Kyrie Irving in the victory over New York Knicks, but seeing that the Cavs starter is likely to return to the squad against Rockets, I believe that Cleveland are likely to extend their winning run at home.
Mo Williams returned to contention against New York Knicks and he played 13 minutes in the Madison Square Garden clash. Aforementioned star Kyrie Irving is likely to return to the starting line-up after he was rested against Knicks.
Four consecutive defeats on the road
Despite the fact that interim manager J.B. Bickerstaff has a number of top-class players to choose from, Houston Rockets have been struggling to find their form in the 2015/2016 NBA campaign. Rockets are playing above expectations and their participation in the Western Conference play-offs is in danger (eighth place). Houston are tough to beat at home, but their away record is anything but good and you should bear in mind that the team have already suffered 22 defeats on the road this season. J.B. Bickerstaff’s men were beaten by the likes of Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets in last four games away from home and it is no surprise they are regarded as big underdogs in Tuesday’s clash against Cleveland Cavaliers. James Harden scored 34 points in the 104-101 loss to Pacers on Sunday and, no doubt, Cavs should find it hard to contain the “Beard” as he is averaging 28.6 points this season.
The likes of Smith, Jones and Goudelock did not enter the coach against Indiana, but the trio could return against Cleveland Cavaliers.
Interesting Facts
- Cleveland scored 100+ points in seven of their last eight home games
- Cavs were beaten by Houston in each of their last four meetings at Quick Loans Arena
- Houston conceded 104+ points in each of their previous four away games
- LeBron James scored mere 19 points in a 99-71 win over Houston earlier this term
- Cleveland recorded seven wins in last eight home matches
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets betting pick
As I have already mentioned, Cleveland Cavaliers have been impressive at their Quick Loans Arena this season and despite the fact that Houston Rockets are eager to book their place in the Western Conference play-offs, home win appears on the cards. James Harden and Co. struggle on the travels and they are unlikely to upset the Western Conference leaders, whose coach welcomes Kyrie Irving back to the starting line-up.
Pick: Cleveland to cover the spread
Odds: -110
