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Cleveland Cavaliers will host the new-look Brooklyn Nets in what is the season opener for both teams.
Cavaliers have a great young roster this year and seem to have a great future ahead of them, being in a position to bring more talent next year. However, it`s doubtful that they have the qualities to make a real statement in the league at this exact moment. They got the No.1 pick in the draft this year and signed Anthony Bennet, but unfortunately for the Cavs it was a weak draft and Bennet (a surprise choice) is not a guy to make an impact right away. They have a superstar in Kyrie Irving, but as all NBA fans know, a point-guard can`t lead a team to glory no matter how good he is. If you have a team of scrubs and a world-class point guard, good look making the playoffs. Cavs also brought in Bynum after he sat out the last season but he is not ready to play. The rest of the team is composed of young guys that are still developing (Waiters, Thompson), or the likes of solid role players like Varejao. Overall, a good team, but not really good. I was disappointed with the Cavs in the preseason, they were really poor despite posting a 4-4 win-loss record. They played poor opposition, lost 2 times to the Bobcats, lost to the Wizards. While the preseason results and stats are not a real indicator of things to come, the level of play is important and Cleveland did not look good. They were simply powerless when Irving was not on the floor.
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Brooklyn is surely the team to watch this season. The Nets have a fantastic roster after making some amazing trades in the summer. They brought in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and the starting lineup looks fantastic: Williams, Pierce, Johnson, Garnett, Lopez. Also, the Nets have managed to put together a truly impressive bench: Terry, Kirilenko, Evans, Blatche, Teletovic or the improving Livingston make for arguably the best supporting cast in the NBA. The starting lineup is also one of the best in the league. Besides this, Nets acquired rookie coach Jason Kidd, an ex-fantastic point guard with great basketball understanding, but no experience in this position. While most people question the Nets` cohesion, coaching and especially their age, I expect this team to surprise everybody and I think they can even go all the way this year. Garnett, Pierce, Terry or Kirilenko (who is probably out today) have tons of experience and they are all team-players: surely they do not need a lot of time to blend in – especially when all the pieces seem to fit perfectly. Their age is not so important given the amazing depth this team has. Also, the basketball IQ is sky-high for the Nets with these guys and Kidd as a coach. The Nets have been great in the pre-season, posting a record of 4-2 and even beating the Heat twice. Most importantly, their level of play was really good and they gave the impression that they could have won every game if they really wanted to.
The Cavs have a nice-looking future but they are shaky to say the least right now. Nets are playing better, their age can`t be a problem in the start of the season and their experience will surely be an important factor against a young team. Irving will have his hands full with Derron Williams so I doubt he`ll have a monster game, so Nets will be free to impose a physical game with Lopez and Garnet (+ Evans of the bench) dominating the paint and out-rebounding the Cavs. Brooklyn`s second unit is way better than what the Cavaliers have, so expect runs for the visitors when the starters are out – this could decide the game.
You always have to be extra-careful when betting on the first few days/weeks in the NBA, but I really like this bet and I don`t see the Nets blowing this one. They are really top-class and have the right pieces to push for a championship. I have to pick Brooklyn to cover this tiny spread. My prediction is Cleveland Cavaliers – Brooklyn Nets 95-105.
Pick: Brooklyn Nets (-3,5)
Odds: 1.93 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.44
Event date: 30 October
Editor Facts
- Rostick is 2 for 3 betting on basketball this season
