GST Staff

Wizards vs. Cavaliers Prediction, Odds, Best Prop Bets December 13, 2024

Cavaliers' Dominant Start Clashes with Wizards' Woes

Game Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter Friday's matchup against the Washington Wizards riding a sizzling start to the season, boasting an impressive 20-4 record and an 83.3 win percentage. While their recent form has cooled slightly with a loss in their last outing, the Cavs have been a dominant force, averaging nearly 122 points per game on a blistering 51 percent shooting from the field and a shade above 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Cleveland's well-rounded attack has been anchored by a stifling defense that has held opponents to just 111 points per contest. The Cavs have used their size to control the glass, grabbing almost 44 rebounds per game, while also showcasing an unselfish brand of basketball, dishing out 28 assists on average. Their defensive intensity has translated into nearly 9 steals and 5 blocks per outing, though they will need to tighten up their ball security after averaging 12 turnovers.

Over their last 20 games, the Cavaliers have been even more formidable, winning at an 80 percent clip while scoring 120 points per game and shooting a scorching 50 percent from the floor. Their three-point shooting has hovered around 40 percent during this stretch, complementing an improved 79 percent mark from the charity stripe.

In stark contrast, the Washington Wizards have struggled mightily, limping into this matchup with a dismal 3-19 record and just a 13.6 win percentage. The Wizards have been plagued by an anemic offense that has mustered a mere 108 points per game on 44 percent shooting overall and a paltry 31 percent from downtown. Their defensive woes have compounded their struggles, surrendering a whopping 124 points to opponents on a nightly basis.

Washington's recent form has been equally abysmal, with just one win in their last 10 games. Over this span, their scoring output has dipped to 105 points per contest as they've shot a mere 27 percent from three-point range. The Wizards' inability to take care of the basketball, coughing it up 16 times a night, has further exacerbated their offensive struggles.

While the Wizards have shown some fight on the glass, grabbing 43 rebounds per game, their lack of a consistent scoring punch and porous defense have proved too much to overcome. As they head into hostile territory against the red-hot Cavaliers, Washington will need a monumental effort to pull off the upset and snap their concerning losing skid.