Victor Wembanyama's coming off a 27-point, 17-rebound game for the Spurs, while James Harden had his best playoff game for the Cavs
There’s a lot of talk this morning about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ mental fortitude, after their dramatic, come-from-behind 117-113 OT win over the Pistons in Detroit two nights ago.
Max Strus called it resiliency and grit. Donovan Mitchell called it mental fortitude. Whatever you call it, the Cavaliers have it.
The win gave the Cavaliers the 3-2 edge in their Eastern Conference series, with the opportunity to close it out tonight on home court and move on to play the New York Knicks in the Conference Finals.
“Yay, whoop-de-do,” said Mitchell to ESPN. “But we got to protect home court.”
Cleveland, off a 30-point game from James Harden (eight rebounds and six assists), his best performance in the playoffs this year so far, rallied from a nine-point deficit in regulation, then closed it out in OT.
Over in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs are in the same situation the Cavaliers are, up 3-2, looking to close it out on the road.
The Spurs won in a rout Tuesday night, 126-97. Victor Wembanyama, fresh off an ejection, scored 21 points in the first half alone – including 16 points in six minutes. He finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Donte DiVincenzo remains out for the Timberwolves, with an Achilles injury, with no injuries to report for the Spurs.
In the Cavs-Pistons game, Kevin Huerter (adductor), Caris LeVert (heel) and Duncan Robinson (lower back) are all questionable for Detroit. No injuries to report for the Cavs.
BEST BETS
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. EST, Rocket Arena, Cleveland
Cleveland leads series 3-2
In NBA betting, at Betway, the Cavaliers are ML favourites at -165, the Pistons at +135. Against the spread: Cavaliers -3.5 (-115), Pistons +3.5 (-105). Over/Under is 210.5 (O -105/U -115).
Over 210.5 (-105)
The Pistons are experienced when it comes to facing elimination. They were down 3-1 in their first round series against the Orlando Magic but stormed back to take the series and move on.
I like them on the Moneyline for tonight, but not enough to take it.
I scored the Over the last time these two teams met, and I am going Over again tonight in Cleveland, at that price. The Over has hit three times in the series, which has trended more offensively as it has progressed. They’ve hit more than 210 points in all but one game in the series.
I’m even looking at the First Half Over (107.5, at -110), as both teams have come out aggressive in recent games, with an elimination game creating more incentive.
Detroit’s season is on the line, so they’ll be playing at a faster pace. Cade Cunningham had 39 points for the Pistons last game, further solidifying his reputation as a mammoth playoff performer. He played 48 minutes last game and will get a ton of minutes again tonight.
I missed out on the Mitchell 25+ points prop last game (he finished with 21), and he’s -180 at Betway to hit that tonight. If you’re feeling frisky, Mitchell is +145 to go over 30 points.
BEST BETS
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis
San Antonio leads series 3-2
At Betway, the Spurs are ML favourites at -210, the Timberwolves at +175. Against the spread: Spurs -5.5 (-110), Timberwolves +5.5 (-110). Over/Under is 218.5 (O -110/U -110).
San Antonio Spurs ATS -5.5 (-110)
San Antonio is -1400 to win the series, and led by Wembanyama, they’ve controlled the paint. That’s become a real challenge for the Timberwolves.
Plus don’t sleep on the Over – it’s hit in four of the five games.
Wembanyama will play massive minutes tonight. I’d even look at that 16+ rebounds prop (+200).
Another Spurs player to focus on is Devin Vassell, who has become an important secondary scorer in the series, with the Timberwolves focusing on Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Vassell had 12 points in 32 minutes in Game 5. He’s averaging 12.6 PPG in the playoffs.
Vassell will get more high-priority perimeter looks tonight. His 3 PT average in the playoffs isn’t elite – 31.0%. But in the regular season he shot 38.4% from three-point range. Vassell could end up taking at least eight three-point shots tonight.
He’s +165 at Betway to go over 15 points.
