LaMarcus Aldridge has proven to be an excellent addition to the Spurs, combining with Kawhi Leonard for one of the best forward tandems in the sport. They’ll get a chance to matchup against another elite tandem in LeBron James and Kevin Love on Thursday night.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Spurs enter play having won eight straight games and going 6-2 ATS during that streak. San Antonio has also found itself as favorites by at least 9.5-points in each games.
Cleveland provides a nice challenge for the Spurs winning seven straight of their own, but stand just 3-3-1 ATS during that streak.
Overall, the Cavs are 7-11-1 ATS on the road while the Spurs are an excellent home team in going 16-6 ATS at the AT&T Center to date.
WHEN THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ARE ON OFFENSE
The Cavaliers had strung three games of over 120 points together before being held to just 95 against Philadelphia in a non-covering 10-point win over the 76ers.
Even with that recent stretch, however, Cleveland is just about average offensively, scoring 101.6 PPG. Of course, that’s plenty given the Cavs stout defense.
LeBron James is always the center of conversation when discussing the Cavs. That’s to be expected when you’ve dominated the NBA as long as he has. He’s averaging 25.8 PPG this season and also leads the team in assists, steals and blocks.
James, however, isn’t surrounded by a bunch of nobodies. The Cavs also have Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Irving has only played nine games since returning to the team. He’s helped boost the team offensively, serving as a dangerous shooter on the outside. He’s already gotten one 32-point game and three games of at least 22-points since his return.
Count on James to score his share, but watch for how well the Spurs are able to contain the supporting cast. San Antonio boasts the No. 1 ranked defense in the NBA, allowing only 89.4 PPG and ranking in the top-3 in shooting percentage from the floor and from 3-point range.
The last time these teams met was in March with Irving scoring 57-points and James adding 31 in a 128-125 overtime win. James may be able to come close to that this time around, but don’t look for Irving to replicate the production, but if he’s playing on the top of his game, take the Cavs to cover the spread on the road against San Antonio.
WHEN THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS ARE ON OFFENSE
The Spurs are that team that just keeps producing. Already the best defensive team in the sport, San Antonio is also the best shooting team in the NBA converting at a 49.2 percent clip from the floor.
The Cavs will have their hands full defending a San Antonio team ranked sixth in PPG with 103.6 and sixth in rebounds with 45.3. Of course, if any team can handle the Spurs’ offense it’s Cleveland. The Cavs are just behind the Spurs, ranking second on defense with 95.1 PPG allowed.
San Antonio’s dominant frontcourt of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge is a very interesting duo to watch against James and Love. The two have 20.6 and 16.1 PPG respectively and are combining for 16 RPG.
The Spurs do their thing with good, solid, fundamental basketball. Look for them to find a way to get this one, or at least keep it close. If the Cavs get out to an early lead and that skews the spread, back the Spurs who can lean on veterans like Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili if Leonard and/or Aldridge have slower games in their tough matchups.
BETTING TRENDS AND MATCHUPS
San Antonio is a strong offensive club and the Cavaliers have the league’s fourth highest scorer in James so you’d expect some points to be scored. That was the case in their last game, but don’t bank on it here.
This is a game of the two best defensive teams in the NBA. In picking the team to cover the spread, look for the one that can win the battle of the boards. For those looking to play on the total, jump on the under if someone is able to go on an early run to bump up the total. These defenses are too good for this to turn into a shootout.
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs will take place Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at the ATT Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
