The Cleveland Cavaliers (20-14) travel to Capital One Arena Thursday to take on the Washington Wizards (17-17). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cavaliers vs. Wizards odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
After failing to cover on the road against the Pelicans on Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will head to the nation’s capital. They’ll now be without G Ricky Rubio for the season.
A focal point of the team, Rubio tore his ACL recently. Due to protocols, the Cavaliers, who have been the best covering team in the league, will be down two other starters. They’ll be missing at least three starters.
Similarly, the Wizards will be without several key players. Washington is 15-18-1 ATS this season. They’re 4-2 overall on the season without Beal in the lineup.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 30 breakdown
Cavaliers at Wizards odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:01 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Cavaliers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Wizards -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +3.5 (-105) | Wizards -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Cavaliers at Wizards key injuries
Cavaliers
- G Ricky Rubio (knee) out
- G Darius Garland (health and safety protocols) out
- C Jarrett Allen (reconditioning) doubtful
- SF Cedi Osman (health and safety protocols) out
- C Ed Davis (health and safety protocols) out
Wizards
- G Bradley Beal (health and safety protocols) questionable
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (health and safety protocols) questionable
- PF Davis Bertans (health and safety protocols) questionable
- SG Aaron Holiday (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Raul Neto (health and safety protocols) out
- C Thomas Bryant (health and safety protocols) out
- F Rui Hachimura (health and safety protocols) out
- F Montrezl Harrell (health and safety protocols) out
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Cavaliers at Wizards odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 106, Wizards 103
Money line
SPRINKLE on the CAVALIERS (+140) as they will still have talented players like C Evan Mobley and PF Kevin Love taking the court.
The Cavaliers have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, and it’s almost entirely been on the back of Mobley and Allen.
Without their best scorer, the Wizards will look to PG Spencer Dinwiddie and F Kyle Kuzma, both of which have been inconsistent throughout their careers. The Wizards are .500, but they have a -2.9 net rating.
They’re worse than their record indicates. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have the fourth-best net rating yet the ninth-best record. They’re better than their record indicates.
It’s tough to bet with so many players out, but I’d put a fraction of a unit on the Cavaliers to win outright. I like the points here for better value.
Against the spread
BET on the CAVALIERS +3.5 (-105). While the guard play will be average at best, the Cavs have talent in their frontcourt. Cleveland F Lauri Markkanen has hit double figures in seven of his last 10 games.
The trio of Markkanen, Love and Mobley should be able to limit the Wizards. Harrell’s absence is also much more important as it seems as he’s arguably the best sixth man in the league.
The Cavaliers have the second-best defensive rating. In a game down so many key scorers, I’ll take the better defensive team.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 210.5 (-107) as I’m not prepared to trust many of the score-first players that will be dependent on in this game.
Kuzma and Dinwiddie have been the main options for the Wizards while the Cavaliers will be trusting Love and Mobley to get the job done offensively. With both teams in the bottom 12 in pace, I’ll take fewer points in this one.
Also, Cleveland is just 13-21 on the O/U, so it’s been far from profitable betting on their matchups to score more than the projected total.
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