The Cavaliers and Spurs came into the NBA All-Star break in fine form, as they were on five-game and six-game winning streaks, respectively. After their stars showed out in the showpiece event in Los Angeles, it’s back to regular season matters for them when they host the Nets and Suns on Thursday evening.
The NBA 2026 odds expect Cleveland and San Antonio to win, as their visitors are lower than them in the standings. The Nets are among the worst teams in the league with a 15-38 record, while the Suns are seventh in the Western Conference with a 32-23 record.
On the other hand, the Rockets, Hawks, Pacers, Pistons, Raptors, Celtics, Magic, and Nuggets will visit the Hornets, Sixers, Wizards, Knicks, Bulls, Warriors, Kings, and Clippers in a jam-packed 10-game schedule.
It’s another busy day in the Association, and SBOTOP is here to preview the Top 3 games.
Brooklyn Nets @ Cleveland Cavaliers
By the looks of it, the Cavaliers are the winners of their trade with the Clippers, as James Harden has yet to lose a game since joining the Wine and Gold. Before the All-Star break, the Cavaliers won 138-113 at home against the Wizards, as the one-time league MVP showcased his playmaking skills.
Harden produced 13 points, four rebounds, and 11 assists on 1-for-4 shooting from the field and 10-for-12 shooting from the free throw line in 28 minutes of action, while Sam Merrill and Donovan Mitchell combined for 62 points, and Jarrett Allen had 21 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the field. Furthermore, Cleveland are awaiting the return of Evan Mobley, who has missed their last six games due to a strained left calf.
The Nets were active during the trade deadline, but their acquisitions of Josh Minott, Hunter Tyson, and Ochai Agbaji didn’t exactly move the needle. Before the All-Star break, Brooklyn lost 115-110 to Indiana, despite having six players in double-digit points.
Nolan Traore led with 20 points and eight assists on 8-for-13 shooting from the field in 32 minutes, while Ziaire Williams, Day’Ron Sharpe, Danny Wolf, Egor Demin, and Ben Saraf added 19, 19, 14, 13, and 12 points. Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, and Noah Clowney were on the sidelines but are expected to return soon.
Betting tip – Cleveland Cavaliers Asian Handicap -15.00 @ 1.88
Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference will go head-to-head, as the third-seeded Knicks host the first-seeded Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening.
The Pistons stayed on top following a 113-95 win over the Raptors before the All-Star break. Cade Cunningham flirted with a triple-double, notching 28 points (team-high), seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and six three-pointers on 9-for-14 shooting from the field in 30 minutes of action. Paul Reed, Duncan Robinson, and Tobias Harris added 22, 13, and 12 points. First-time All-Star Jalen Duren will continue to serve his suspension for his altercation with Moussa Diabate during their recent Hornets matchup.
The Knicks are fresh from a 138-89 beatdown of the Sixers, as new acquisition Jose Alvarado balled out. The former Pelicans guard dropped 26 points, three rebounds, four assists, five steals, and eight three-pointers in 19 minutes off the bench, while Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mohamed Diawara, and Mitchell Robinson added 22, 21, 14, and 11 points.
Jalen Brunson had a rare off-night with only eight points on 3-for-6 shooting from the field. However, he’s expected to have a better performance against the East’s top dogs.
Betting tip – Under 222.00 @ 1.97
Phoenix Suns @ San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are keen to make it seven consecutive wins when they host the Suns on Thursday. San Antonio recently notched a 126-113 win over the Warriors, following their superb outings of All-Stars De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, who combined for 53 points. Keldon Johnson, Dylan Harper, and Harrison Barnes added 21, 14, and 10 points from the second unit.
The Suns are coming off a humiliating 136-109 loss to the Thunder, who were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dillon Brooks tried to make up for Devin Booker’s absence by contributing 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals on 9-for-19 shooting from the field in 24 minutes, while Royce O’Neale, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea added 12, 12, and 11 points in the losing effort.
According to the NBA 2026 news, Booker is expected to return on Thursday, while Jalen Green is questionable (at best) to play due to a nagging hamstring injury.
Betting tip – San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 1.98
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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