Cavaliers vs. Hawks NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, March 6

The shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers pulled out a stunner Tuesday night, rallying from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to end the Boston Celtics’ 11-game winning streak. Coming off that big win at home, the Cavaliers are on the road to finish off a back-to-back Wednesday night against the Hawks. 

Atlanta, still without star guard Trae Young, has won three of its last five games to hang onto the final Play-In Tournament spot. The Hawks have a 2.5-game lead over Brooklyn for the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference while trailing the Bulls by two games to move up to No. 9.

Can the Hawks pull out a win as a short favorite Wednesday night against Cleveland? Here’s the betting preview for Wednesday’s conference clash with a best bet. 

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Dean Wade: The undrafted fourth-year forward took advantage of the opportunity Tuesday night, going 8-of-11 from the field and hitting six 3-pointers for 23 points in Cleveland’s comeback, upset win over Boston. Wade only averages 5.4 points per game and had scored just six points over 39 minutes over the previous two games. 

Jalen Johnson: The former first-round pick has four double-doubles over the last seven games and has come up one rebound short of a double-double in each of the last two contests. Johnson has scored 20-plus points three times in the last five games and is coming off a 26-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist performance in Atlanta’s 116-100 win over the Knicks on Tuesday. 

Cleveland will be short handed again on Wednesday night with Mitchell already out and Strus questionable. The Cavaliers’ big win over Boston came at a cost, though, as starting forward Evan Mobley left the arena Tuesday with a “very swollen ankle,” according to Cleveland.com. He played just 23 minutes, finishing with 4 points and 6 rebounds. 

Can you trust Cleveland after such a big win? Cleveland is just 3-6-1 ATS with no rest this season and now has a short turnaround to Atlanta after upsetting the Celtics.

The Hawks are just 3-7 ATS in the same scenario, but remain at home while playing some of their best basketball of the season.

The Hawks play at the No. 4 pace in the NBA, which is bad news for a Cleveland team with no rest, having to travel just a few hours after an emotional home win. The Hawks, No. 9 in the NBA in offensive rating, have gotten big contributions from guys like Saddiq Bey, Dejounte Murray and Johnson with Young on the mend.

They’ll have enough offense Wednesday night against a Cleveland defense that could be missing key rim protection if Mobley can’t go with the ankle issue. Based on the spot, fade the Cavaliers after a big win as the Hawks stay hot. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.