Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets Pick and Odds (Feb 20)

• The Cavs are first in the Eastern Conference and have won 8 of 9
• The Nets are 20-34, 12th in the East, but won 3 straight before All-Star Weekend
• The teams last played on Dec. 16 with Cleveland winning in a 130-101 blowout

The Cavaliers visit the Nets as the NBA gets back into swing after the All-Star Weekend. While the two teams are at opposite ends in the Eastern Conference with Cleveland the top seed and the Nets 12th, both teams are playing well. Who will continue their run in our Cavaliers vs Nets pick?

Cavs Hope to Maintain Their Lead in the East

The Cavs blew out the Raptors in their final game before the break. Superstar guard Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points. In his two games since being acquired from the Hawks, small forward De’Andre Hunter has made his presence felt with 12 points vs the Timberwolves and 18 points vs the Raptors.

In the Dec. 16 Cavs-Nets matchup, also at the Barclays Center, Evan Mobley led the way with 21 points. Mobley scored 12 in the win over Toronto, but in the previous three games, he scored 30, 27, and 28 in victories over Detroit, Washington, and Minnesota.

The Nets Are a Run Away From Playoff Position

Although they are 14 games below .500 and in 12th place, Brooklyn still has an outside shot at a playoff spot. They are 5.5 games out of the eighth seed, currently held by Atlanta. In their last game before the break, Brooklyn beat Philadelphia 100-96.

D’Angelo Russell led the way with 22 points. Trendon Watford contributed with 18, Cameron Johnson had 16, and Nic Claxton had 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Scoring has been an issue for the Nets averaging only 105 points per game. Still, acquiring Russell has benefited them and they have won six of seven. It is a positive upswing for Jordi Fernandez Torres’ crew since they had lost 12 of 13 before that hot run.

Cavaliers vs Nets Pick: Brooklyn Keeps the Game Within Striking Distance

Cleveland has been lighting up the scoreboard this season and has averaged more than 126 points per game in their last 10.

The Cavs’ season will be judged on how they do in the playoffs, not what happens in their first game after the All-Star Break. Both teams are playing well and the Nets are overmatched, but that does not mean they will lose by more than 13 points.