Cavs vs Wizards: Odds, preview, prediction and TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially righted the ship. After losing five-straight games the Cavs have now won three in a row, approaching full health and flexing on a variety of opponents. Their win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday was dominant, but Miami was down its two best players. The pummeling of the Dallas Mavericks on Monday had no such caveats; it was a good old-fashioned beatdown.

The Cavs weren’t supposed to be a team that blew out opponents, but they did just that these last two games. This isn’t a hapless rebuilding squad; the Cavs have built something now, and it stretches to the sky. They have their eyes on the playoffs and it’s no longer insane to think they can get there. The journey continues Friday night as they conclude their three-game road trip in the nation’s capital.

The Cavs play the Washington Wizards Friday night to avenge last month’s close loss. What do you need to know about who is playing and how to bet?

The Washington Wizards got out to a hot start, 5-1 and then 10-3 to start the season. They built that record on the back of mostly close wins and a defensive improvement from last year. That stretch included a 97-94 win in Cleveland when Kyle Kuzma hit two big 3-pointers late to give Washington the win.

Since that 10-3 start the Wizards have lost five of their last nine, falling to 14-8 on the season That places them third in the Eastern Conference, but ultimately just two games ahead of 8th-place. Cleveland hopes to avenge that home loss and show the Wizards to be something of a fluke with an inflated record ready to come back to earth.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards: Odds, spread, over/under

The Cavaliers (12-10) will visit the Wizards (14-8) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, Washington is favored by 4.0. The over/under total is set at 208, which is the largest total for the Cavs in weeks.

Both teams last suited up on Wednesday. The Wizards hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 115-107. The Cavs blew out the short-handed Miami Heat and then traveled up to Washington D.C. Neither team has to turn around and play on Saturday.

Cavs vs Wizards: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Wizards starters: Spencer Dinwiddie, Bradley Beal, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford

Cavs: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

The Wizards’ key injuries: Aaron Holiday (questionable, illness); Deni Avdija (questionable, illness); Thomas Bryant (out, knee)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Cedi Osman (out, back); Dean Wade (doubtful, calf)

The Wizards are mostly healthy, with all five starters expected to play. Deni Avdija has been an excellent defensive weapon as a combo forward but the Wizards are deep at the 4, and Aaron Holiday is the Wizards’ third-strong point guard. Cleveland has more of an injury burden here as Cedi Osman has been their best bench wing, and Dean Wade held the fort as a starter during that long stretch of absences in November. Look for Lamar Stevens to have a significant role with Wade still out.

Cavs vs Wiz: Prediction

The Washington Wizards pulled off one of the greatest heists in recent league memory, turning Russell Westbrook and his gargantuan contract into four rotation players, including three starters and a Sixth Man of the Year candidate who have helped to propel the Wizards up the standings, even with Bradley Beal not playing his best basketball to start the year.

Yet the Cavs are similarly on the rise, built around their own former No. 3 overall pick in Evan Mobley and with key contributions from players added via trade: Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen, Ricky Rubio, even Kevin Love. The timetables are different, but these teams aren’t all that different in how they have played this year.

The Cavs are two games behind the Wizards, but their +2.2 net rating outpaces the Wizards’ +0.5 mark. Most metrics would place the Cavs as a better team than the Wizards, but it’s reasonable to think these two teams are fairly evenly matched. Vegas seems to think so, finally putting some respect on the Cavs’ name and making Washington just a four-point favorite at home, suggesting the Wizards are just a little better than the Cavs on a neutral court.

The Wizards will hope their dynamic backcourt can carry them, as super-sub Montrezl Harrell will likely find it tough sledding against the combination of Mobley and Allen inside, who combined for nine blocks between them Wednesday night. Cleveland likewise needs someone to get hot from outside, be that Lauri Markkanen or Darius Garland, especially with Cedi Osman out again.

The Cavs are flying high, and the Wizards are warbling somewhat after their hot start. You should absolutely take the points here, as the Cavs are likely more of a coin flip to win outright. What about the total? It’s high for the Cavs, but their offense has been getting loose recently, and the Wizards have fallen out of the top-5 defensively down to 14th. Let’s say this one does eke over that total.

Prediction: Cleveland 107, Washington 105

The Bet: Cleveland (+4.0), OVER

Cavs vs Wizards: Where to Watch

While both the Cavs and the Wizards have exceeded expectations this season, neither warranted much national coverage prior to the year and thus this game will be carried on the regional sports networks. That means Bally Sports Ohio for local Cavaliers fans, and NBC Sports Washington for those near the District. All other fans can watch on NBA League Pass. The game starts at 7:00pm EST.

Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule

The Cavs return home for their next game on Sunday afternoon, a tough matchup against the Utah Jazz. The impact of Rudy Gobert’s defense in the paint against the Cavs’ bigs will be a key factor to watch for.

Things don’t let up from there, as Cleveland flies immediately to Milwaukee to play the Bucks on Monday night. Then it’s back home to Cleveland to host the Chicago Bulls. This four-game stretch against top teams in the standings will serve as something of a measuring stick for this young but aggressive Cavs squad. Are they for real?