Suns vs. Cavaliers: Point Spread Predictions & Expert Analysis

Cleveland Cavaliers (56-13 SU, 42-26 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (33-37 SU, 28-41 ATS)

When: Friday, March 21st, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: PHX Arena, AZ, Phoenix

TV: AZFa

Point Spread: Cle -7/Pho +7

Total: 239

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers -275/+226

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

• No Injuries Reported

Suns

• Bradley Beal (Out) Hamstring
• Mason Plumlee (Out) Quad
• Grayson Allen (Questionable) Foot

At 10:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-275) will travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns (+226) in a non-conference matchup. The Cavs are currently favored by 7 points, and the over/under line is set at 239.

Cleveland is 56-13 on the season and has lost three straight games. Meanwhile, Phoenix is 33-37 and has won two in a row. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 ET, and the game can be seen on AZFa.

Recent Form

The Cavaliers fell to 56-13 on the season after a 123-119 loss to the Kings on Wednesday. Cleveland, favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 242, surpassing the 228.5-point line by 13.5.

Cleveland started strong, leading 22-15 after the 1st quarter and winning the 2nd quarter 34-32. However, a 14-0 run by the Kings shifted the game from 74-73 to 87-74. The Cavs entered the 4th quarter down 90-88 and couldn’t close the gap, as both teams scored over 30 points in the final period.

The Suns improved to 33-37 on the season with a 127-121 win over the Bulls on Wednesday. Playing at home, Phoenix was favored by -5.5 points and covered the spread. The total score of 248 points went over the line of 235.5 by 12.5 points.

Phoenix took control early with a 10-0 run, extending the score from 24-20 to 34-20. They led 99-84 going into the 4th quarter, but the Bulls made a push, outscoring the Suns 37-28 in the final period.

The Historicals

Over the last five head-to-head meetings, the Cavaliers have averaged 106 points per game compared to 103 for Phoenix. This has led to an ATS record of 3-2 for Cleveland. In these contests, they averaged a combined 209 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 1-4.

Analysis

Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 31 points and 10 rebounds in their 123-119 loss to the Kings, shooting 72.2% from the field and hitting four threes at an 80% clip. Donovan Mitchell added 26 points, while Ty Jerome contributed 14 points and six assists.

The Cavs shot 54.8% from the field, connecting on 13 threes at 38.2%. Mobley scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter and added 10 more in the 4th, while Mitchell also put up 10 points in the final period.

The Cavaliers started strong defensively, holding the Kings to just 15 points in the 1st quarter, but they couldn’t maintain that level of play, giving up 32 points in the 2nd and 43 in the 3rd. Cleveland allowed 33 points in the 4th, leading to a 123-119 loss. Overall, Sacramento shot 50% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Kings hit 16 threes at a 45% clip. Cleveland sent Sacramento to the line 16 times, where they made 15 free throws. The Cavaliers grabbed 29 defensive rebounds but gave up 14 offensive boards. They also recorded seven steals and one block.

Devin Booker hit six threes at 50% efficiency, leading the Suns with 41 points and seven assists in their win over the Bulls. He scored 20 points in the 4th quarter alone. Kevin Durant added 26 points, with 11 coming in the opening period.

Phoenix made 15 threes, shooting 37.5% from deep and 49% overall. Nick Richards contributed 18 points, and Ryan Dunn added 16, with 5 points in the 3rd quarter.

Defensively, the Suns started strong, holding the Bulls to 22 points in the 1st quarter, but struggled in the 2nd half, allowing 70 points combined in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Overall, they gave up 121 points on 54% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, Phoenix allowed Chicago to hit 15 threes at a 39% clip. The Suns sent the Bulls to the line 12 times, where they made eight free throws. Phoenix finished with 33 defensive rebounds, gave up eight offensive boards, and recorded nine steals and six blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Cavaliers have a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 120 points per game in these contests.
• Across the Suns’ last three home games, the team averaged 106 points per game while allowing 112. Their record vs. the spread in these contests was 1-2 while going 0-3 straight-up.
• Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Suns have a strong record vs. the spread going 3-2. Their straight-up mark in these contests is 1-4.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 7-3 straight up.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Cleveland has suddenly dropped 3-straight and has a chance to get back on track vs the Suns tonight. Right now, they are favored by -7.5 points. Even with their 3-game skid and the Celtics winning 3-straight, the Cavs are still six games up on the Celtics for the top spot in the East. I see Cleveland taking care of business tonight, and I feel good about getting them at -7.5.