After just 1 game since returning from injury, Donovan Mitchell is already out. The Cavs didn’t miss him too much though as they routed his former team the Jazz 129-113 last night in Salt Lake City. Mitchell is expected back in the line-up tonight as the Cavs face Phoenix on a 2nd night of a back-to-back. Not the most ideal scenario for him to come back as Cleveland is only 5-8 SU in 13 such games this season, with 4 losses in their last 5 games. Phoenix dominated the first meeting of the season in mid-March 117-111, behind 37 points from Kevin Durant. Mitchell did not play in that game, without him the team is just 11-13 SU this year. If there’s one thing the Cavs have to improve on compared to that first meeting it’s blocks. They finished the game without blocking a single shot in the 6-point loss.
The Suns recorded a much needed win at New Orleans the other day, mainly thanks to Devin Booker who exploded for 52 points in a 124-111 triumph. All 5 Suns starters scored in double figures, although that’s a good thing, the bench production is a worry as the Suns got just 9 points from their reserves in the win. As things stand, the Suns would face Sacramento in the play-in tournament on the road, but things can still change with 7 games remaining. Ahead of tonight’s game they’re 5.5 point favorites, which is understandable considering their 5-2 ATS/SU record over the last 7 games. This team is also on a run of 8 wins in 11 games vs East teams and 7-2 SU in their last 9 vs Central Division opponents.
