Cleveland-cavaliers vs Washington-wizards Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

Cleveland-Cavaliers vs Washington-Wizards December 3rd 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-1612) will host the Washington Wizards (+908) in a matchup between the top team in the Eastern Conference and the 15th-ranked Wizards. The over/under line is set at 234.5.

This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and can be seen on MNMT.

Wizards vs. Cavaliers Key Information

The Wizards fell to 2-16 on the season after a 124-114 loss to the Bucks on Saturday. Washington was +14.5 point underdogs going into the game, but they managed to keep the final margin to 10 points. The total score of 238 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 230.

Washington trailed 92-86 going into the 4th quarter, but a 10-0 run by Milwaukee extended their lead from 107-103 to 117-103, putting the game out of reach. The Wizards kept it close early, leading 29-28 after the 1st quarter, but the Bucks gradually pulled away, winning each of the final three quarters.

In their 124-114 loss to the Bucks, the Wizards shot 47.1% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 28.1% of their threes, making only 9 in total. Jordan Poole led the way with 31 points and 7 assists, shooting 30% from deep with 3 made threes.

Free NBA Expert Picks to Guide You! Check out free NBA basketball expert picks for today’s games.

Malcolm Brogdon added 29 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 2 threes at 100% efficiency and shooting 66.7% overall. Poole and Brogdon each scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while Jonas Valančiūnas added 10 of his 16 points in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, the Wizards struggled against the Bucks, giving up 124 points on 51% shooting. Washington allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter, 35 in the 2nd, 29 in the 3rd, and 32 in the 4th.

The Wizards also had trouble defending the three, with Milwaukee hitting 16 threes at a 45% clip. Washington sent the Bucks to the line 25 times, where they made 20 free throws. The Wizards finished with 7 steals and 3 blocks.

The Cavaliers improved to 18-3 on the season with a 115-111 win over the Celtics on Sunday. Cleveland, favored by -1.5, covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game ended at 226, just under the O/U line of 229.5.

Cleveland staged a big comeback, outscoring Boston 43-27 in the 4th quarter after trailing 84-72. The Cavs started strong, leading 28-24 after the 1st quarter, but the Celtics took control in the 3rd, outscoring Cleveland 35-21 before the Cavs’ late surge.

Donovan Mitchell’s 35 points, including 20 in the 4th quarter, propelled the Cavaliers to a win over the Celtics. He hit 6 threes at 54.5%, while the team connected on 17 threes at 47.2% overall.

Darius Garland added 22 points and 8 assists, making 4 threes at 66.7%. Georges Niang was perfect from deep, hitting 3 threes and finishing with 13 points.

Defensively, the Cavaliers held the Celtics to 111 points on Sunday, giving up 24 points in the 1st quarter and 25 in the 2nd. They struggled in the 3rd, allowing 35 points, but tightened up in the 4th, giving up 27 points. Cleveland limited Boston to 40% shooting overall.

The Cavaliers allowed 17 made threes at a 34% rate. Boston also went 18/19 from the free-throw line. Cleveland finished with 38 defensive rebounds, while giving up 10 offensive boards. They also recorded 5 steals and 7 blocks.

For a point-spread bet in this Wizards vs. Cavaliers matchup, we’re leaning towards the Wizards at +16. Although our projections show the Cavaliers winning 130-125, we suggest placing your bet on the Wizards for the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 234.5, and our model projects the Wizards and Cavaliers to reach a combined total of 255 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

NBA’s Best and Worst Meet as Cavaliers Face Wizards

Cavaliers Aim to Maintain Dominance

Fresh off a victory against the Boston Celtics in a clash of the league’s best teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face the struggling Washington Wizards in NBA Cup play on Tuesday.

Cleveland, sporting an NBA-best 18-3 record, is riding high after a 115-111 win over Boston on Sunday. Donovan Mitchell was pivotal, scoring 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter.

“Our offense was average tonight, and I think our defense was phenomenal,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Really showed character and resilience again when we weren’t making shots at a high level.”

The Cavaliers have already defeated the Wizards this season, extending their dominance to nine straight wins over Washington.

Wizards Seek to Snap Skid

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Wizards are reeling from a 14-game losing streak and sit at the bottom of the standings. A loss on Tuesday would bring them within one game of tying their franchise record of 16 consecutive defeats.

Rookie center Alex Sarr has been a silver lining for Washington. The 7-footer has shown promise as a defensive anchor, recording multiple blocks in 10 games. Coach Brian Keefe praised Sarr’s effort in guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo during Saturday’s 124-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“Great assignment for him,” Keefe said. “I thought he got him a couple times. Alex cut him off, made him shoot some pull-ups, and helped off others too. It was a decent showing for his first time guarding him.”

The Wizards are also monitoring forward Kyle Kuzma, who missed Saturday’s game with a rib injury.

Mitchell’s Resurgence

Mitchell’s ability to close games was on full display against Boston. After struggling in recent games, he caught fire in the fourth quarter, making all six of his shots, including four from beyond the arc.

“He was pretty bad for like the previous seven quarters of basketball, and then you just see something shift in his face,” said Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome. “That’s what great players do. They take and make big shots. His whole energy changed.”

Stay Informed with NBA Strategies! Access expert NBA Betting Tips.

Poole Provides a Bright Spot

For the Wizards, Jordan Poole continues to shine offensively. The guard scored 31 points against Milwaukee and has made at least one 3-pointer in 46 consecutive games. Despite the team’s struggles, Poole remains optimistic.

“Every organization has to go through tough times to figure out what the good times are like,” Poole said. “We’re building a foundation. We’re laying pieces. It’s not supposed to be easy.”

Matchup Outlook

While the Cavaliers are heavy favorites, Washington will hope to compete with its youthful core and emerging talent like Sarr and Poole. Cleveland, however, will look to capitalize on its momentum and maintain its dominant start to the season.