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Rockets vs. Cavaliers: 3 Best Bets

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rockets
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated 3/16/24

The Houston Rockets are making a late-season push to qualify for the Play-In Tournament and have won four games in a row. They will host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, who are also fighting for playoff seeding.

Cleveland has gone 2-2 over the last four games, but they beat the Rockets in overtime in their lone meeting this season. Currently third in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs are capable of getting hot and will be a tough playoff matchup when the postseason rolls around.

Houston will be without Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams. Cleveland is also shorthanded, with Evan Mobley, Ty Jerome, and Max Strus all out.

Keep it posted here for our three best bets, courtesy of the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point Spread: Cavaliers -4.5 (-118)/Rockets +4.5 (-110)

Money line: Cavaliers (-200)/Rockets (+155)

Over/under: 215.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Jalen Green OVER 20.5 (-118)

Yes, Jalen Green only scored 12 points in the last matchup with the Cavaliers, but after his 37-point outing against the Wizards, it's safe to say he has a hot hand. Cleveland's defense is solid, but they rely a lot on Jarrett Allen to protect the rim. With Green shooting 38.9 percent from three over his last five games, Allen shouldn't be a concern.

Opponent pick: Donovan Mitchell OVER 23.5 points (-125)

Mitchell dropped 37 points against the Rockets earlier this year, and with playoff seeding on the line, expect him to be all-in tonight. After a seven-game absence, he scored 14 against the Pelicans, but expect him to be back in dominant form tonight.

Team pick: UNDER 215.5 points (-118)

Both teams have solid defenses, so expect a low-scoring night even if Green and Mitchell are going bucket for bucket. The two teams combined for 265 points in their earlier matchup, but that game was an outlier and both teams should be playing bruising, playoff-ready ball.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rockets and was syndicated with permission.

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