Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions

Cleveland's recent edge comes at a steep price

Both teams enter Saturday's game at Rocket Arena at 0-1. Sports Mole reports that Cleveland lost 114-106 at Philadelphia after giving up a lead that reached 29 points, while Brooklyn opened with a 110-103 home loss to Charlotte. Cleveland's collapse makes an 11.5-point spread difficult to trust this early in the season.

The Cavaliers won all three meetings last season, including a 112-84 home victory. That supports Cleveland as the likely winner, but the SPF moneyline requires bettors to risk $535 to win $100. The previous season's sweep isn't enough to justify that price.

Starting lineups remain unconfirmed

Fear The Sword, a Cavaliers news site, lists Cleveland's expected starters as James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Brooklyn's expected five is Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle and Day'Ron Sharpe. Neither lineup is confirmed, which adds uncertainty to a double-digit spread.

Brooklyn's Tyler Bilodeau is out with a shoulder injury. Cleveland will be without Nae'Qwan Tomlin because of a back injury and Khalifa Diop because of a left-knee injury, while Ernest Udeh Jr. is out on a G League assignment. The available reporting doesn't show that these absences create an advantage worth betting.

Betting lean

SPF lists Cleveland at -535, Brooklyn at +400 and the Cavaliers as 11.5-point favorites. The total is 232.5, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. Cleveland is the likelier winner, but the limited evidence doesn't support a bet on the moneyline, spread or total. Pass.