The defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers (0-2) will host the Southeast Division’s Atlanta Hawks (0-2) at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM EDT and is set to be televised on FSN for regional audiences. Syndication is also available on NBA TV for interested parties. The Cavaliers have held the upper hand in this series as of late as they have won the last three contests between both parties. Despite this, Atlanta had covered on six consecutive occasions until Cleveland covered as a two-point favorite in February when they ousted the Hawks in the ATL by a score of 123-107.
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers Overview
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks enter on the heels of yet another beat-down this time coming at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies in Music City on Friday night when the Birds were defeated 131-117. The Hawks closed as a seven-point underdog but nevertheless appeared to be the dumpster fire that many analysts had suspected they could be. However, it is worth noting that this is the second game the gutted roster has played under a new administration so this is likely a part of the growing pains associated.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Like their counterparts, the Cavaliers have also yet to win a game this season. However, Cleveland has been a cash cow against the spread as they have covered successfully in each of their outings this season. This is a team that lost by just a possession on the road at the Toronto Raptors to open the season and fell by eight points on the road against the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Reasons To Back Atlanta
Atlanta will be all but given away in this market, and there will be tremendous reluctance to back them given how they have performed to open this season. This is where we step in and take advantage of what will be a very friendly point spread to entice action on the boys from the ATL.
Reasons To Avoid Cleveland
The popular narrative of backing Cleveland in its home opener is a reason many will support the Cavs here. Especially given who they are up against. The Cavs are known for a renowned home court advantage at The Q. This advantage inflicts premiums on takers to back Cleveland when they are at home at this point. The problem is they are not the same team without one LeBron James leading the charge. Cleveland is prone to be overvalued in this spot.
Get more details: Atlanta at Cleveland NBA Match-Up
