The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11) and Washington Wizards (3-19) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST from Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The game will broadcast live on MNMT.
The Cavaliers are 14.5-point favorites over the Wizards on the spread (Cavaliers -14.5), with the over/under set at 243 total points. Cleveland is a -1000 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Washington is +650 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Wizards predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 12.
My Cavaliers vs Wizards Prediction
- Cavaliers vs Wizards pick: Jaylon Tyson Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-125)
My Wizards vs Cavaliers best bet is Jaylon Tyson over 20.5 points + rebounds, with the best price currently available at bet365. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Wizards Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 243 -110o / -110u | -1000 |
| Wizards Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 243 -110o / -110u | +650 |
Cavaliers vs Wizards NBA Preview
Tonight's matchup will pit two of the NBA's worst teams against the spread as the Cavaliers visit the Wizards.
After a season of being very profitable for bettors, going 48-33-1 ATS in the regular season, Cleveland is just 8-17 ATS this season.
The Cavaliers are also 1-5 against the spread as a double-digit favorite, though the one cover was against Washington, who are 6-16 ATS this season.
The Cavaliers have won each of the last 10 meetings in the series, eight of them by double-digits.
Tonight, they will have to win without Jarrett Allen, who will miss his sixth consecutive game with a right finger strain.
Evan Mobley has slid over to the center spot in his absence, averaging 19.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 10 games without Allen this season.
Jaylon Tyson has taken advantage of more minutes as well. He has scored 14 points in eight of the 10 games Allen has missed this season, averaging 16.5 per game.
The 20th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Tyson has been one of the league's most improved players this season, averaging 13 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 46.7% from three.
The Cavaliers' offense still runs through Donovan Mitchell, who is the league's fourth leading scorer at 30.5 points in addition to 5.5 assists per game. He has scored 28 points or more in seven of his last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the Wizards have lost four of their last five games, allowing at least 119 points in each of those games.
The Wizards are allowing 128.3 points per game, nearly five more than any other team. They are also 30th in defensive rating.
It will not help matters on the defensive end that Alex Sarr will miss a fifth straight game with a thigh injury. The second overall pick in last year's NBA Draft is averaging 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
However, they will get Tre Johnson, their sixth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, back tonight from a hip injury.
Johnson has been out since November 21st, but is averaging 11.5 points and three rebounds per game this season.
He may have more opportunity tonight, as Washington will be without Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, and Khris Middleton on the wing.
Cavaliers vs Wizards Prediction, Betting Analysis
Tyson has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games. That includes 27 and 24 points in two of his first four games in December.
He has also been a factor on the glass with four rebounds in nine of his last 10 games, including two double-doubles.
As mentioned, he has seen increased opportunities without Allen.
In 10 games without Allen this season, he has averaged 11.7 field goal attempts, 5.6 3-point attempts, and 12.4 rebound chances per game.
That has helped him average 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds and clear over 20.5 PR in nine of those games.
The Wizards are 28th in points and 29th in rebounds allowed to small forwards this season.
Two players I like as facilitators tonight are Mitchell and Kyshawn George.
Mitchell has had five assists in eight of nine games without Allen this season and in seven straight games against the Wizards.
George has recorded four assists in nine of his last 10 games, and Cleveland is 17th in assists allowed this season.
Pick: Jaylon Tyson Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-125, bet365)
Cavaliers vs Wizards Parlay Picks
- Jaylon Tyson Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds
- Donovan Mitchell 5+ Assists
- Kyshawn George 4+ Assists
Parlay Odds: +248 via DraftKings
Wizards vs Cavaliers Betting Trends
