Harden versus James as Rockets Host Cavaliers
On Sunday, two of the top teams in their respective conferences square off when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Houston Rockets. The current line has Houston favored by 5.5 points with the over/under point total on 232.
Entering this game, Cleveland has an overall record of 43-21 straight up and 29-33-2 against the spread. On the road, the Cavaliers are 17-14 SU and 13-18 ATS. Houston on the season has an overall record of 45-21 SU and 38-28 ATS. At home, the Rockets are 23-9 SU and 15-17 ATS.
Cleveland is currently No. 1 in the Eastern Conference with a lead of just 2.5 games over the Washington Wizards. The Cavaliers are just 5-5 in their past 10 games played and have lost three of their past four.
Houston is No. 3 in the Western Conference. The Rockets trail second place San Antonio by 1.5 games and first place Golden State by 7.5 games. The Rockets are 6-4 in their past 10 games overall and are coming off a win in their most recent game played.
Cleveland snapped a rare three-game losing streak when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combined to score 46 points on Saturday to help beat Orlando 116-104.
However, in the second half of back to back games, Cleveland has lost six of its past seven, as those games have been used to rest some of its star players for the postseason. It Cleveland does that against Houston it could mean big trouble for the club.
Houston won its last outing on Friday with a 21-point rout of Chicago. James Harden finished the game with 19 points while handing out 13 assists. Earlier in the season, Harden scored 41 points and handed out 15 assists when Houston defeated Cleveland 128-120.
On Thursday, James suffered a hip pointer. However, he played 38 minutes on Saturday against Orlando. J.R. Smith scored 11 points in just his second game back for Cleveland following thumb surgery. Kyle Korver sat out his second straight game for Cleveland with a sore foot.
Houston does not plan to rest players if the Cavaliers do. The Rockets, following this game have five straight opponents with record under .500 and could rest players then if absolutely needed.
Cleveland is 2-5 ATS in its past 7 games played.
Cleveland is 0-5 ATS in its past 5 games played against teams from the Southwest division.
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its past 5 games overall.
Houston is 3-8 ATS in its past 11 games against opponents from the Eastern Conference.
Prediction: Houston is playing better than Cleveland and the Cavaliers could rest players due to this being the second half of a back to back set. Lean here towards Houston.
