NBA Cleveland at DallaS
2007-03-01
With each passing game, the possibility of Cleveland catching Detroit for the Central Division title becomes more remote, while the chances of anyone beating Dallas who is on its third double digit win streak of the season, seems even more unlikely.
The Cavaliers can at least bring ammunition to this contest to inspire hope if nothing else. The Cavs defense has held the opposition to 88.5 points and 42.1 percent shooting in the past nine games. Since February 7, Cleveland leads the NBA in opponents' field-goal percentage and ranks third in points allowed. Cleveland also has the best record of Eastern Conference teams against the West with 14-8 SU and ATS record.
Dallas is turning into the Harlem Globetrotters; all they do is keep winning. Tonight they can equal a franchise record with a 14-game winning streak after completing February a perfect 10-0. That was the first time in team history they have had an unblemished month. The Mavs are also the first team ever in NBA history to have three win streaks of a dozen or more in a single season. Even though being flushed with success, the denial of winning the championship last year has kept everything in perspective. "Nobody's in here jumping up and down," said guard Jason Terry after road win over Minnesota. Combining the three streaks together, this accounts for 38 wins and 26-11-1 ATS record.
The line at Sportsbook.com has already risen to Dallas favored by 9.5-points, with a total of 189. Maybe its the team record 20-game home winning streak (12-7-1 ATS) that has bettors backing the Mavs. Or maybe it is the 9-0 ATS mark in home games after 10 or more consecutive wins over the last two seasons, with an average winning margin of 20.2 points a game.
Cleveland hopes to respond by playing better defense and is 19-9 against the spread after 3 or more consecutive Unders over the last two seasons. Bettors are probably best served to not play the Cavaliers on the money line, but can take heart that Dallas is 5-15 ATS in last twenty tilts off a road win by 10 points or more.
TNT will showcase this as the early game starting at 8:05 Eastern. Dallas in 7-2 SU and ATS at home vs. Cleveland and with the line already moving the Betting Trends page will be useful on this and other NBA games tonight.
NBA News
Click here to read latest NBA news
