San Antonio Spurs vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions, NBA Picks Today 3/8/2020

Game: San Antonio Spurs vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2020

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: San Antonio -3

Total/Over-Under: 227

Bryn Forbes and the San Antonio Spurs (26-35, 5th in the Southwest Division) travel to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday where they'll meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-45, 5th in the Central Division). San Antonio opens this matchup as 3 point favorites. The total is set at 227.

The Spurs cover the spread 40.0% of the time, having gone 24-36-1 ATS. Cleveland covers the spread 45.0% of the time, going 27-33-2 against the spread.

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

03/06/20 G Lonnie Walker IV Shin is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
03/06/20 C LaMarcus Aldridge Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
03/06/20 SG Marco Belinelli Illness is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
03/01/20 C Jakob Poeltl Knee is out indefinitely

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

03/06/20 PG Darius Garland Groin is downgraded to out Saturday vs Denver & Sunday vs San Antonio
03/05/20 C Andre Drummond Calf is questionable Saturday vs Denver
03/05/20 SF Alfonzo McKinnie Plantar Fasciitis is questionable Saturday vs Denver
03/05/20 SG Kevin Porter Jr. Concussion is out indefinitely
03/05/20 C Tristan Thompson Knee is questionable Saturday vs Denver
02/26/20 PG Dante Exum Ankle is out indefinitely
01/13/20 SG Dylan Windler Leg is out for season

Player Spotlight

Bryn Forbes comes into this game averaging 11.2 points per contest while playing 25.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 83%. DeMar DeRozan averages 22.3 points per contest in 34.1 minutes per game. He averages 5.5 assists per game and 5.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% for the season while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kevin Love scores 17.5 points per contest while playing 31.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.7 rebounds per contest and has 3.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Collin Sexton averages 20.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio averages 112.8 points per contest, which is 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.9 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 7th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They average 44.5 boards per contest and 24.5 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 30th with 12.3 per game. The Spurs allow 114.7 points per contest, which is 23rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 28th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.5 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they allow 25.8 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 26th in the NBA with 106.6 points per contest this season. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -8.27. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.2 boards per contest and 25th in assists per game with 22.8. The Cavaliers are 1st in turnovers per contest with 16.4. The Cavaliers give up 114.9 points per game, which ranks them 25th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 30th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.3 dimes allowed per game and 6th with 43.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Spurs are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.8, and their defensive rating of 113.7 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 18th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league. San Antonio is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 1st in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 115.7, and their offensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 29th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 22nd. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Spurs/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take San Antonio -3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here