Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Picks and Odds Dec 3
Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
Sportsmemo NBA handicapper Ronald Cabang offers his Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting preview for Friday, December 3. At the time of posting, the Wizards are holding steady as a 3-point home favorite over the visiting Cavaliers, with the total sitting at 208.5 points.
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Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions
- Washington Wizards -3 vs Cleveland Cavaliers
- Total: 208.5 Points
- The under is 15-5 in Cleveland’s last 20 games.
This is a matchup between two of the biggest surprises of the NBA season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a three game winning streak that coincides with the return of one of the top players from this year’s rookie class, Evan Mobley. The Washington Wizards have won three of their last four games and are 8-2 straight up at home.
The Cavaliers are sixth overall in the Eastern Conference and have been able to get it done without their star guard, Collin Sexton. The Cavs are winning with their defense which is currently ranked 3rd in the league in defensive rating. The defense is led by, arguably, the best defensive front court duo in Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Offensively, they spread the love with seven players averaging over 10 points per game.
The Wizards have pretty much had the same recipe for success, leaning on their defense and a balanced offense. They do, however, rely on Bradley Beal for the most part, he leads the team in both points per game and assists per game. The Wizards shoot a decent percent from the field, but it is because a majority of their points are coming in the paint. When it comes to three point shooting, they are in the bottom five three pointers made per game and three point percentage.
I’m expecting a low scoring game here. Both teams play a slow pace and are two of the better defensive teams in the league. The Cavaliers are 7-4 to the under on the road and the Wizards are 6-4 to the under at home. Even with a total already set so low, I’d play the under, down to 206.
🎓🏀 Both Iowa and Purdue are undefeated on the season at 7-0. At the time of posting, the Boilermakers are 12.5-point home favorites over the visiting Hawkeyes, with the total at 160. @johnryansports1 shares his thoughts on tonight’s #B1G action.https://t.co/f5ooNe68Aw
— Sportsmemo (@sportsmemo) December 3, 2021
Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Analysis from The GoldSheet
The Cavs looked to be recently wobbling like the Browns when losing five straight into Thanksgiving, but have gathered themselves to win in a row straight for the third time this season and leaving no doubt in the process, throttling the Magic, Mavs and Heat in a row. Defense has been superb, holding each of the last three to 96 points or fewer, and no coincidence that the turnaround happened right when 6-11 USC rookie Evan Mobley returned to active duty last Saturday vs. the Magic after missing five games. Upgraded defensive numbers when Mobley is available are unmistakable, and all of a sudden J.B. Bickerstaff has one of the biggest lineups in the league with Lauri Markkanen and Jarrett Allen also now back to active duty to team with Mobley.
These teams did meet back on Nov. 10 at Cap One Arena when a late Kyle Kuzma bucket gave the Wiz a 97-94 win, though efforts have been inconsistent the past three weeks, perhaps because of a turnover differential that was league’s second worst entering this week. That first meeting also fell far below the “total” at 209, and another familiar “under” result for Cleveland (now “under” 15-5 last 20 entering tonight). Play the Under.
Friday’s NBA Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his NBA Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Click here to download Friday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers contest.
NBA Tip-Off Show
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