With a normally solid output of 18 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, and 4 treys in 25 minutes of action, Kevin Love returned from a 21-game absence in the game against the Bucks. The return has been possibly sped up with Larry Nance’s hamstring injury and Tristan Thompson’s ankle issues, but Love shows no ill effects of the long layoff, starting in the center position.
With Love back, James playing at his best and Lue out of the picture (no, not sacked, sorry Cavs fans, just ill), it’s a perfect time to jump on the Cavaliers before the public eats all the value.
They are currently holding off the trio of Indiana, Washington, and Philadelphia, who pretend to misplace them from the no. 3 spot in the East and have a rather easy schedule over the next two weeks. On Wednesday, they host the conference-leading Toronto, but games against the Suns, the Nets, the Heat, the Hornets, the Pelicans and the Mavericks follow.
Kevin Love averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in 49 games this season, making him top Cavs rebounder and second-best scorer behind James. He’ll stretch the defenses far better than Clarkson, Hood, and Nance were able, and brings the familiarity to the veterans.
While the Cavaliers were 8-13 ATS in his absence, and a disappointing 15-33-1 with him playing, it can’t really be pinned on his performance. The Cavs have been cleansed at the same time Love broke his hand, and are now much better than before. The bettors should improve their Cleveland numbers by at least 2.0 spread points right away, depending on the matchups, and other team news.
Love also impacts the total points lines, but it’s unlikely that the odds makers will allow for much room there. The Cavaliers are averaging 112.6 points in ten March games and the punters have not seen a total points line lower than 220 in those games, regardless of the opposition.
The Cavaliers have four other injured players, and three of them could return as soon as Wednesday’s game against the East-leading Toronto Raptors – Hood, Nance, and Osman – while Thompson is walking without a limp. Beat the odds and the books by trusting the team that is supposed to be a money pit. It is time to get your investment back. After all, Spring is the time when the Cavaliers start lighting all of their engines.
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