Entering Friday night’s game at the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to get back to their winning ways.
After an eight-game winning streak, Cleveland has dropped their last two games at the LA Clippers after a fourth quarter collapse in the closing stretch of that one, and the Sacramento Kings had their way offensively following that.
Now, that Wednesday loss to the Kings was Cleveland’s third game since Sunday, so I could understand that to some degree, and the Kings are a club that can do damage often in transition with their pace. Darius Garland also reportedly was under the weather in that one, so looking back, I should’ve given him some slack there. Even with that, though, he’s had some scoring struggles of late coming off his eye injury, objectively.
So will the Cavs finish up their current road trip on a high note, to make them 3-2 on this one, mostly versus California teams?
We’ll weigh in on that here, and examine the odds, lineups and injury outlook for this outing, and touch on the programming info.
Cavaliers-Warriors: Odds, spread and over/under
According to FanDuel, the Warriors are favored here by 3 points over the Cavs. The moneyline for Golden State is -142 and for Cleveland is +120. The over/under in this one is currently set for 229.5, with both of these clubs being able to light it up.
Cavaliers-Warriors: Injury report
Cavs injuries: Ricky Rubio (out, knee); Dylan Windler (out, ankle); Isaiah Mobley (out, G-League two-way); Mamadi Diakite (out, G-League two-way).
Warriors injuries: Donte DiVincenzo (out, hamstring); Andre Iguodala (out, hip).
Cavaliers-Warriors: Projected starting lineups
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Warriors starters: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Cavaliers-Warriors: Prediction
The Warriors have not gotten off to a good start this season, as they’re currently 4-7, and only three teams have started out with a worse defensive rating. It’s been hardly what one would come to expect with the Dubs.
In any case, given the firepower these two teams possess with Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and company, and Garland, Mitchell and others, and the over/under, it’s easy to envision this being a shootout.
I do lean the Dubs in this one by a couple of possessions, for now, but I do look for Garland to have it rolling more here, and given this being the last of Cleveland’s road trip, and fifth game in the past week, I’d think J.B. Bickerstaff could feature a deeper bench.
The Dubs bench has started the season off terribly, and by comparison, the Cavaliers bench has been one of their key strengths, and that could give the club a lift here, in my opinion. Kevin Love, a vet steadying presence for Cleveland, is a guy who should have his share of opportunities in this one, too.
To circle back, though, I do lean Golden State here, as even with the Dubs having lost five straight before their W over the Kings on Monday, I think with them well-rested, they keep it going a bit here. And championship mettle in the fourth quarter could be on display a bit.
As for the betting outlook, I’d lean the Warriors by give-or-take a couple of possessions and the over.
Prediction: Warriors 118, Cavs 113
The Bet: Warriors (-3), OVER
Cavaliers-Warriors: How to watch
For fans in-market and with the said channels, Bally Sports Ohio and NBC Sports Bay Area will have this matchup. For fans out of market and/or without those options, NBA League Pass will have this game.
For a streaming option, test out FuboTV here, with a free trial!
Cavaliers upcoming schedule:
After they conclude this mostly-California road trip at the Warriors on Friday, the Cavaliers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at home, and then will face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in Wisconsin.
Following that outing, the Cavs will begin a four-game homestand next Friday versus the Charlotte Hornets.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.