sans vs. Cavs forecast, odds, pick

New Year’s Day in the NBA will continue as we’re ready for another betting prediction and pick for this next cross-conference matchup. The Phoenix Suns (19-13) will download on Cleveland Cavaliers (18-16) for the first of two regular season meetings between these two teams. Check out ours NBA odds series for predictions and picks for Suns-Cavs.

The Phoenix Suns are seventh in the Western Conference after a 115-101 win over the Washington Wizards, extending their current winning streak to four games. They will be looking to match their hottest streak of the season at five games, but will have a tough test as the underdogs in this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference after an impressive 113-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the big win, they are still just 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost some ground in the standings, hoping to make up for it in this home game.

NBA odds thanks to DraftKings

Suns vs. Cavs Odds

Phoenix Suns: +5.5 (-102)

Cleveland Cavaliers: -5.5 (-118)

Over: 235.5 (-108)

Under: 235.5 (-112)

Suns vs. Cavs Key Injuries

Phoenix: Ryan Dunn (knee – questionable) / Grayson Allen (knee – questionable) / Jalen Green (hamstring – OUT)

Cleveland: Sam Merrill (Hip – Probable) / Larry Nance Jr. (Calf – OUT) / Max Struss (Foot – OUT)

Suns vs. Cavs Betting Trends

• The Cleveland Cavaliers are 11-8 at home. The Phoenix Suns are 9-8 on the road.
• The Cavs are 11-23 ATS overall, 5-14 ATS at home. The Suns are 22-10 ATS overall, 11-6 ATS on the road.
• The Cavs are 16-11 betting favorites. The Suns are 7-11 as underdogs.
• Suns are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Cavs.
• The Suns are 6-0 ATS in the last six games.
• Cavs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games, 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.

Keys to Suns vs. Cavs Matchup

The Phoenix Suns were the hottest team going into this matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, hoping to match their longest winning streak of the season at five games. Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker have taken turns leading the team in every game during this current streak, but that has also been the case in 11 of the last 12 games. The offense clearly runs through them and their ability to score in the mid-range, so expect that to be a common theme against the Cavs today.

The biggest improvement and leftover from the addition of Dillon Brooks to their roster is the improvement on defense. The Suns, who were near the bottom of the NBA a season ago, allow it the seventh at least points per game (113.1) to opponents in the NBA. They are too leading the league with 10.8 steals per game, turning defense into offense and pushing the pace on the fast break. With Brooks leading the way on the defensive end, it allows Devin Booker more opportunities to lift his team with his goals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have already been known for their stout defense as most of their effort comes from a dominant DPOI Evan Mobley. He will be their k-factor all season and there is a serious drop in the team’s overall production when he is not on the floor. Healthy ahead of this game, Mobley will have a solid game against another young, athletic big man in Mark Williams. Mobley has a significant advantage here with his ability to stretch under his shot, so don’t be surprised if he draws Williams into the arc and looks to attack from there.

The Cavaliers have been a little more inconsistent than we’ve seen from them in the past, but this is a game they’re expected to win at home, especially with Phoenix missing a key playmaker in Jalen Green. We should also have a defensive battle if both teams show that they play hard.

Suns vs. Cavs Prediction and Pick

This should be a competitive game as these two teams meet for the first time and the Phoenix Suns are currently on a hot streak. They are extremely balanced when it comes to their offensive and defensive efforts and once they are able to get Jalen Green back in action, they should take a significant step forward in their success this season.

While the Cavaliers may have the better lineup and matchup advantage on paper, the Suns have been perfect in covering the spread as of late and have been a great coverage team overall. It should be a close, back-and-forth battle, but the weak defense of the Phoenix Suns should help them hang on in this one. If they are able to keep this game close in the fourth quarter, expect Devin Booker to see his team through the final minutes and give them a chance to win.

We’ll move on with the Suns to cover our final prediction, along with the completed game total.

Final Suns-Cavs Prediction & Pick: Phoenix Suns +5.5 (-102); OVER 235.5 (-108)