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posted December 4, 2007 at 15:24 in NBA Free Picks

The New Jersey Nets, (8-9 SU, 6-10-1 ATS, 8-9 O/U), travel to Cleveland tonight to take on the Cavaliers, who will likely be without superstar swingman LeBron James for tonight’s matchup because of a sprain to his left index finger that James suffered on Wednesday night in a 109-74 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The timing of James’ absence couldn’t be better for the Nets who were eliminated from the Eastern Conference semifinals last season at the hands of James and the Cavaliers in emphatic fashion.

Cleveland, (9-9 SU, 8-10 ATS, 10-8 O/U),has struggled mightily since their leader and best player left last Wednesday’s contest against the Piston in the second quarter.

Cleveland managed a dismal 31 points in the second half against the Pistons without James and are averaging just 76 points per game in the two games, both losses, that James has sat out.

The Cavaliers enter this matchup coming off a disheartening 80-70 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday where they shot a pathetic 32.9 percent from the field and atrocious 58.3 percent from the free-throw line.

The Nets aren’t playing much better at the moment, having lost two of their last three, including a whopping 118-95 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Nets forward Richard Jefferson is averaging a team-high 24.8 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field.

Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my Free NBA Picks.

Key Nets Trends

The Nets are 9-24-1 ATS in their last 34 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.

The Nets are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.

The Nets are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.

 

Key Cavaliers Trends

The Cavaliers are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Cavaliers are 21-8-1 ATS in their last 30 games following a S.U. loss.

The Cavaliers are 23-10-1 ATS in their last 34 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

 

Key Totals Trends

The Over is 4-0 in Nets last 4 overall.

The Over is 4-1 in Nets last 5 games following a ATS loss.

The Under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 games following a S.U. loss.

The Over is 5-1 in Cavaliers last 6 home games.

Key Head-to-Head Trends

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

The Nets are 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Cleveland.

The Nets are 15-5 ATS in the last 20 meetings.

Analysis: This pick is quite simple for my beloved BetUS.com NBA bettors. If James doesn’t play tonight, take the Nets to cover the four-point spread and win outright. If James does play, the Cavaliers are a totally different – and better – team than the Nets. However, if James does play, he’ll likely be rusty and the Cavs will have to readjust slightly to having him on the court. This game screams, ‘Nets’ hoops bettors and that’s the correct pick. Take New Jersey and don’t look back.

NBA Free Picks: Nets +4 Points/Under 189 Total Points

07:05 PM EST

New Jersey Nets +4 -110

Cleveland Cavaliers -4 -110

Over 189 -110

Under 189 -110

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