The Washington Wizards (32-37) take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-28) Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Wizards vs. Cavaliers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Wizards covered as 13.5-point home favorites as they cruised to a 117-97 win over the Detroit Pistons Tuesday. Washington is only a 1/2 game ahead of the Indiana Pacers for the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers failed to cover as 2.5-point home underdogs in Wednesday’s 118-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Cleveland is 2.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
This will be the third meeting between the Wizards and the Cavaliers this season. Cleveland won and covered the first two meetings, while the total was split in those games.
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Wizards at Cavaliers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wizards +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Cavaliers -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wizards +5.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Wizards at Cavaliers key injuries
Wizards
- None
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (eye) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Wizards at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 112, Wizards 104
Moneyline
PASS.
Even with the Cavaliers (-200) expected to win at home, I wouldn’t advise taking them straight up in a wager at the current odds which are beyond my personal moneyline limit.
Against the spread
CAVALIERS -5.5 (-105) is the pick in this matchup, and I’d bet Cleveland all the way up to -7.5. The Cavaliers will be motivated to secure a victory at home to gain some ground in the playoff race following their loss to the 76ers last time out.
The Cavaliers are 22-13-1 ATS at home this season, and the Wizards are 20-22-2 ATS as underdogs this season.
Over/Under
UNDER 220.5 (-115) is the play on the total in this contest with these teams playing at slower tempos. Washington and Cleveland are both bottom 9 in pace, and Cleveland owns the best defensive rating in the NBA.
The Wizards are 4-1 to the Under in their last 5 games against a team with a winning record. The Under is also 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
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