Nets vs. Cavaliers Recap: Cleveland Holds On 125-121, 10 Props Cash

The Cavaliers held off the Nets 125-121 at home. Cleveland scored 35 in the first quarter, led 68-54 at halftime and 96-80 after three, and was ahead for 84 percent of the game with a largest lead of 22. Brooklyn answered with 41 points in the fourth and made 20 of 49 threes, but Cleveland shot 51 percent, scored 46 points in the paint and finished with 31 assists. In all, 10 DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Peyton Watson 2+ assists (-157 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: An easy alt rung. Watson cleared 2+ assists in 10 of his last 10 and 5 of 5. - What happened: He had 4 assists in 31 minutes, 2.5 over the 1.5 line, including a lob to Jarrett Allen for a dunk at 4:03 of the fourth. - Worth watching: He started and played 31 minutes. The low rung held with room to spare.

Donovan Mitchell 2+ threes (-355 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Mitchell cleared 2+ threes in 9 of his last 10 and 5 of 5. - What happened: He made 2 of 6 from three in 35 minutes, 0.5 over the 1.5 line. - Worth watching: This one cleared by the minimum. At this price, six attempts is the volume it needs.

Michael Porter Jr. 18+ points (-262 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Porter cleared 18+ points in 9 of his last 10 and 4 of 5. - What happened: He scored 28 on 10 of 18 shooting, 4 of 9 from three and 4 of 4 at the line, with 9 rebounds in 33 minutes. That is 10.5 over the 17.5 line, and his three with 8.1 seconds left cut it to 123-121. - Worth watching: He took 18 shots and led Brooklyn in scoring. That usage keeps the 18+ rung in play.

Donovan Mitchell 4+ rebounds (-265 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Mitchell cleared 4+ rebounds in 9 of his last 10 and 4 of 5. - What happened: He grabbed 5 rebounds, all defensive, in 35 minutes. That is 1.5 over the 3.5 line. - Worth watching: Heavy minutes do most of the work on a low rebound rung like this one.

Evan Mobley 25+ points + rebounds + assists (-339 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Mobley cleared 25+ PRA in 9 of his last 10 and 4 of 5. - What happened: He had 20 points on 7 of 12 shooting, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for 34 PRA in 35 minutes, 9.5 over the 24.5 line. He also blocked 3 shots. - Worth watching: A double-double with 35 minutes is the profile that keeps this line comfortable.

Donovan Mitchell 20+ points (-408 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Mitchell cleared 20+ points in 9 of his last 10 and 5 of 5. - What happened: He scored 22 on 7 of 15 shooting and 6 of 6 at the line, 2.5 over the 19.5 line. He added 4 assists. - Worth watching: The free throws carried him past the number. The price is steep, so the cushion is thin.

Sam Merrill 5+ points (-450 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Merrill cleared 5+ points in 9 of his last 10 and 4 of 5. - What happened: He scored 7 on 2 of 4 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench, 2.5 over the 4.5 line. His two free throws with 5.2 seconds left closed the game. - Worth watching: Twenty-one minutes of bench work was enough. The angle depends on that role holding.

Peyton Watson 15+ points + rebounds + assists (-319 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Watson cleared 15+ PRA in 9 of his last 10 and 4 of 5. - What happened: He had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists for 18 PRA, 3.5 over the 14.5 line. - Worth watching: He got there on 11 shots in 31 minutes. Starter minutes are what make this rung work.

Peyton Watson 15+ points + assists (-120 FanDuel / -102 DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Watson cleared 15+ points + assists in 7 of his last 10 and 16 of his last 20. The best price of -102 implied about 50 percent against roughly 72 percent from recent games. - What happened: His 11 points and 4 assists made exactly 15, 0.5 over the 14.5 line. - Worth watching: This was the value spot of the group by price. It landed by the slimmest margin, so the number matters.

Sam Merrill under 2.5 threes (-189 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Merrill stayed at 2 or fewer threes in 4 of his last 5, 8 of his last 10 and his only game this season. - What happened: He made 1 of 3 from three, 1.5 under the 2.5 line. - Worth watching: He took only 3 threes in 21 minutes. Low volume is what keeps the under alive.

How the game played out

Cleveland led 116-99 after the Allen dunk with 4:03 left. Egor Demin scored 22 for Brooklyn and hit three threes in under a minute midway through the fourth, and Julius Randle added 23. The Nets got within two late, but Merrill's free throws ended it. Jarrett Allen made 7 of 8 shots for 21 points.

Trends to watch

• Mitchell, Mobley and Watson all played 31 minutes or more as starters. Their props are worth a look while that workload holds.
• Brooklyn took 49 threes and grabbed 18 offensive rebounds. That volume can keep Nets games close late.
• Cleveland committed 23 turnovers and still won. Ball security is the thing to watch in its next game.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn more about player props and alt lines, or see today's NBA board.