NBA Tuesday betting preview: Fade Cavaliers amid losing streak
After another 2-1 record on our NBA picks against the spread - which included two blowout wins on our side bets - we love the value in a handful of games from a busy Tuesday slate.
Hawks (-7, 227.5) @ Cavaliers
The NBA's most profitable trend right now isn't betting on the Jazz - it's betting against the Cavaliers, who are 1-12 ATS in their last 13 games with an average scoring margin of minus-17.9 points in those contests.
Cleveland owns an abysmal net rating of minus-18.6 since Jan. 29, which is nearly triple the second-worst mark in that stretch. The Hawks have been below average over that span but have covered six of their last eight as favorites, and their shooters should wreak havoc on the Cavaliers' dreadful defense.
Pick: Hawks -7
Pistons @ Magic (-3, 210)
This season is currently on pace to have one of the highest over rates in the last 25 years, but that doesn't mean every team is trending over.
The Pistons are riding a 5-1 run to the under and have averaged 104 points in the four games since Blake Griffin left the team. Conversely, the Magic are 6-2 to the under in their last eight and have struggled offensively without rookie guard Cole Anthony, who scored a combined 60 points in the four games before fracturing his rib.
When oddsmakers hang a total this low, pay attention. Games with a total of 210 or less are 11-1 to the under this season and have been profitable in each of the last four seasons.
Pick: Under 210
Kings @ Nets (-6.5, 242)
Has the bubble burst on Nets overs? After a ridiculous 19-3 run to the over, Brooklyn has gone under in each of its last two games, scoring 109 points against the Lakers and 112 against the Clippers.
Consider, though, that the Lakers have the best defense in the NBA on a per-possession basis, and the Clippers have two of the best perimeter defenders on the planet. None of that applies to the Kings, who rank last in defensive rating (118.0) and have gone over in six straight games.
We've been touting the overs on high totals all year long, and while this one is mighty high, it's still worth a play. Totals of at least 240 are 8-2 to the over this season and 28-21 to the over all time - including 7-3 when the Nets are involved.
Pick: Over 242
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.