Cavaliers vs. Wizards Pick
Are the host Washington Wizards going to get the best of the Cleveland Cavaliers today at 6PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cavaliers are listed as a 1.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 213 points.
Cleveland enters with a 22-8 overall record and 10-19-1 ATS after a 109-100 home victory over the Jazz, its fourth consecutive win. Washington is 16-13 overall and 14-15 ATS following a 100-91 home win against the Clippers. The Cavaliers won the first meeting 130-122 on Nov. 3 in Washington. Cleveland is 3-1 straight up and 3-1 ATS in four meetings since the start of last season. The over is 3-1.
The Cavs were paced by LeBron James in the win against Utah as he recorded his 60th career triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kevin Love tallied 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Kyle Korver added 12 points, two boards and two assists off the bench. Cleveland led 80-73 through three quarters.
Mike Scott led the Wizards with 22 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench in the win over the Clippers. Bradley Beal accounted for 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. John Wall added 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in 30 minutes in his second game back after missing time with a knee injury. The Wizards led 48-43 at halftime and outscored LA 27-21 in the third quarter.
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. The over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Washington.
The Wizards are 2-0 since the return of Wall, albeit a pair of home wins against teams with losing records in the Grizzlies and Clippers. This will be a true test against a Cavs squad they have had some beef with since last season, occasionally writing checks with their mouth that they couldn’t cash on the court. Undoubtedly, Washington will be fired up for this one and in front of the home crowd I envision a Wizards win. Cleveland has a fantastic straight up record, but its ATS mark shows there are some vulnerabilities. Take the home team in what should be an entertaining game.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON WIZARDS +1.5