Suns vs Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers return to Rocket Arena having won three of their last five, while Phoenix rides in on a four-game surge that’s featured a humming offense and big nights from Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie. With Cleveland still down rotation wings Max Strus and Larry Nance Jr. but back to deploying Evan Mobley alongside Jarrett Allen, the Suns counter with Devin Booker and a suddenly deep guard room, even if Grayson Allen is banged up and Jalen Green has barely played because of his hamstring. Mitchell torched Phoenix for 33 in last season’s January rout in Cleveland, whereas Booker averaged a more balanced 16 points and 7 assists across their 2024-25 meetings, underscoring how often the Cavs’ physical defense has dictated terms at home. Laying -250 offers limited value, but given Cleveland’s top-10 offense, strong home environment and healthier core, I lean Cavaliers on the moneyline with a Grade B recommendation for those willing to eat the juice; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 09:41

Cleveland’s 119-plus points per game and 117.0 offensive rating paired with Phoenix’s 115-ish offensive rating and nearly 115 points per night suggest plenty of scoring, but the 235.5 total still sits slightly above their combined season averages and recent head-to-head results. The Suns are wrapping up a successful road run with four straight wins powered by efficient halfcourt offense rather than pure pace, while the Cavs just leaned on late-game defense to hold San Antonio to 101, hinting at a more controlled environment in this early New Year’s Eve tip. Last season’s two meetings landed at 230 and 210 total points despite both offenses being explosive, and with both sides mindful of conference seeding in a still-tight standings picture — plus some key perimeter shooters out or limited — the number feels a touch inflated, so I lean Under 235.5 at -105 with a Grade B- on the combination of matchup and price; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 09:41

Phoenix’s four-game winning streak — all by at least seven points and accompanied by a 5-0 run against the number — suggests this group travels well enough to stay inside a 5.5-point cushion even against a Cavs team that’s 3-2 in its last five and just stopped a mini-skid in San Antonio. Cleveland is still shorthanded on the wing without Strus and Nance, while Phoenix’s only notable absences are role shooters like Grayson Allen and the still-limited Jalen Green, which keeps the Suns’ core of Booker, Brooks, Gillespie and a deep center rotation intact. Mitchell has a history of lighting up the Suns in this building, but Booker’s playmaking against Cleveland last season, plus Phoenix’s recent dominance on the offensive glass and their perfect last-five ATS mark versus a more inconsistent Cavs side, makes taking the points attractive in what profiles as a tight, late-possession game. I expect Cleveland to be more likely to escape with a win, but Phoenix +5.5 at -105 gets a Grade B+ for blending reasonable probability with solid value; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 09:41