Russ is playing, still taking new-look Cavs

Punt of the night is taking the storied Cavaliers AWAY against OKC's Russell Westbrook team. We recommend smaller-side bet at 2.0% AUM. While Russell was warming up for hours before the game, and therefore likely he plays, we liked Cavaliers +1.5 anyhow. Carmelo Anthony is also questionable, but seemed to be involved in practice today-- while we think if he plays it might HELP our cause.

#1 Cavaliers are the better team, TONITE
Why? OKC we've had ranked just below GSW this year, so what's changed for this game? Roberson is likely out for the season, and he's the best defender for OKC and would likely be playing LeBron and making James work for his points. We can't overestimate Roberson enough, as it was always told to us, an outfielder who jumps the wall to save a Grand Slam, in effect, HITS a grand slam. DEFENSE is ALWAYS underrated, but ESPECIALLY in the NBA. Huestis, Carmelo, Patterson, Grant-- none of them are as valuable as Roberson. So on Roberson's injury alone, plus Cavs looking better post-trade and without Love, we still actually like the Cavaliers on a nuetral court. AWAY at OKC, we have to deduct points, but we're still at just a half point disadvantage, whereas we got +1.5. Small margin for error, we know, so obviously we're not putting a ton on the game.

Read up on Roberson from this excellent Chris Bengel article...
https://247sports.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/Bolt/Oklahoma-City-Thunder-star-Russell-Westbrook-says-Andre-Roberson-was-heavily-scrutinized-114743822

#2 New-Look Cavs we like: George Hill + Nance = success
We love Larry Nance Jr, think he's one of the most underrated players in the NBA and think Lakers were jackasses for trading him. Clarkson, we think has mega-talent, altho he's had trouble harnessing that talent into wins so we're reserved on him for now while he's still young-- perhaps under the tutelage of LeBron? George Hill we like on any team who'll give him minutes, and on Cleveland he'll certainly be the best PG they've had all year-- an area Cleveland has been hurting all year post Kyrie. George Hill gives you defense where Kyrie didn't, and frankly with some time with LeBron & Crew, he might even end up being better than Kyrie was in that slot. Crazy talk, we know, but look what they did to Boston the other night. We like the momentum of the new Cavs, so this is our 2nd advantage.

Why we might be wrong...

A. Russell Westbrook
We never want to sell him short, altho perhaps a "#3" above would be Westbrook coming off an injury where he missed games. Thing is tho, we HATE betting against a guy's first night back from injury, for some reason they can play out of their minds, and with Westbrook that would be a VERY bad thing for our bet. The plus side is Westbrook won't be used to going against George Hill who's a better defender than anything the Cavs have thrown out there.

B. Home Court advantage
Makes this game and our margin VERY tight.

We wish you the best Steemians!