The Cleveland Cavaliers no longer look like Eastern Conference contenders. Since the All-Star Break, their advanced numbers suggest the Cavs belong in the lower-third of the league.
Donovan Mitchell’s return to the lineup tonight against the Phoenix Suns should help that cause, but perhaps not enough. Cleveland has been lacking in all areas, particularly defensively. And while Mitchell is an underrated defensive asset, expecting him to guard Devin Booker or Bradley Beal while he is still nursing a left knee issue should give the Cavs cause for concern.
Let’s back the Phoenix offense in our free NBA picks and predictions as we preview the NBA odds for Cavaliers vs. Suns on Wednesday, April 3.
Cavaliers vs Suns predictions
My best bet: Suns team total Over 115.5 (-110 at Pinnacle)
The Phoenix Suns have not made the most of adding Bradley Beal last offseason. Some of that has been because of injuries, but some of sitting at No. 8 in the Western Conference has simply been the reality of trying to mash a roster together. Suddenly, though, Phoenix has reason to believe it can escape the Play-In Tournament.
The Suns are tied with the Kings, trail the Pelicans by just one game, and are three games behind the Clippers. All those Western foes have injury worries wrecking their momentum as the playoffs loom. Meanwhile, Phoenix may finally be getting healthy.
That health lends offensive promise. Since the All-Star Break, the Suns have ranked No. 11 in offensive rating at 116.1. That rises to No. 9 at 116.7 since March 1. Focus even more precisely, since Phoenix’s “Big Three” all reached the lineup on March 11, and that jumps to No. 3 at 119.5.
This is what the Suns always had in mind. Pinning your postseason hopes on offensive variance may be a risk — and this is entirely offensive variance, given Phoenix’s defensive rating stands at No. 21 in the league in the 11 games since March 11 — but it is a path worth pondering when you have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Beal, not to mention Jusuf Nurkic (who did miss one game since March 11).
The Cleveland Cavaliers defense has fallen off since Donovan Mitchell’s knee became a bother. He left the lineup on March 1, and before then, Cleveland’s defensive rating ranked No. 3 in the NBA at 110.7. Since then, it has fallen to No. 22 at 115.5.
While the combo guard is back on the court, playing in the Cavs’ two most recent games before taking last night off for “left knee injury management,” he is not yet healthy. He shot 7-for-25 in those two games, including 3-for-13 from deep. Those numbers are more easily cited than any defensive results, but his defensive struggles were vaguely similar.
Cleveland is not a contender right now, and it will not be until Mitchell is back to his best. Phoenix might be a contender, at least as long as its offense looks like this. That combination creates clear value tonight.
Cavaliers vs Suns same-game parlay
Suns team total Over 116.5
Devin Booker Over 26.5 points
Devin Booker Over 2.5 made 3s
Even when the Suns' lineup became whole, it took Booker a few weeks to find his footing. But in his last six games, Booker has found his groove, averaging 30.2 points and shooting 44.9% from deep on 8.2 attempts per game.
If Mitchell is not at his best, that should benefit Booker most, given their natural matchup.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cavaliers vs Suns odds and trends
Cavaliers vs Suns live odds
Cavaliers vs Suns opening odds
- Spread: Cleveland +5.5 | Phoenix -5.5
- Moneyline: Cleveland +186 | Phoenix -210
- Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Cavaliers vs Suns spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with Phoenix favored by -6 and toggled back and forth between -6 and -5.5 throughout most of Wednesday before slipping to -5 at some books in the afternoon.
- This total ticked up to 226.5 from opening at 225.5, a small move but one agreeing with Phoenix’s offense of late.
- Six straight Cleveland games have gone Over the total and by an average of 13.2 points.
Cavaliers vs Suns trend
Phoenix is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Suns.
Cavaliers vs Suns game info
| Location: | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 3, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
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