NBA Central Update: Cavaliers Still Alive and Kicking
The last three years have been miserable for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only did they have to watch the best player on the planet, and Ohio native Lebron James walk out on them and take his talent to the Miami Heat, they have had to watch the Heat play in the NBA Finals all three years and win twice since leaving. Meanwhile the Cavs have not sniffed the playoffs since. But in the fourth year since his departure, James and the Heat remain contenders to win another title, but the Cavs at least are in contention for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Should they make it there is a chance they could face the Heat in the first round. How interesting would that be?
For this to happen, the Cavs must make up two games on both the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are in free fall mode having lost seven of ten. The Knicks however have been hot lately having won seven of their last ten. Cleveland is only 5-5 in their last ten so they must pick it up. Tonight is a huge game as they travel to face the Hawks in Atlanta. The Knicks play host to the Washington Wizards who currently occupy the sixth spot, nut are only tow games ahead of the seventh place Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats host the Orlando Magic tonight.
A Cavs win and a Wizards win and this playoff race tightens up considerably. Cleveland will then be only a game out of the last spot with the Knicks and Hawks in a tie. Not many would have guessed Clevealnd would still be in the race this late. And honestly, had the east not been so weak, they would not be. They are 14 games below .500 at 31-45. Even if they win out they will be 37-45. But that is a huge step forward from where they have been after losing Lebron. Having their #1 draft pick, Anthony Bennett not give them anything and still be where they are is a good thing for the Cavs fans.
Top Bet has the odds on tonight’s games:
Orlando at Charlotte– The Magic is +10 -110 and the Bobcats are -10 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Orlando +450 and Charlotte -600. Orlando just wants the season over with. We will take the Bobcats -10 -110.
Cleveland at Atlanta– The Cavs are +1.5 -110 and the Hawks are -1.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Cleveland +105Â and Atlanta -125. We are going to go with the Cavs +1.5 -110. Cleveland is playing better ball than the Hawks right now.
Washington at New York– The Wizards are +4.5 -110 and the Knicks are -4.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline has the Wizards +170 and New York -200. New York has certainly been playing well, but we are going to go with Washington +4.5 -110.
