Cavaliers vs. Wizards Prediction, Pick and Preview, December 30 (12/30): NBA

Credit: photo by Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to Capital One Arena and take on the Washington Wizards this evening.

Philly has responded to a three-game skid by winning three of their last four games. The team is getting healthier and still managing to thrive without former All-Star Ben Simmons.

It's been a rough month for Washington after such a strong September. Health protocols and a lack of defensive intensity have slowed Washington down, but they enter here with a good shot.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have been terrific this month, but they come into this one shorthanded. MIP candidates Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are both sidelined due to health protocols, and they just lost spark plug Ricky Rubio to a torn ACL on Tuesday.

With those three key pieces sidelined, Evan Mobley will highlight the Cleveland lineup for the time being. Mobley scored 22 in his return from quarantine, and he's averaging 14.1 ppg, while leading all rookies in rebounding (8.3)

Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love will have bigger roles going forward. Markkanen is enjoying a strong first season in Cleveland, averaging 14.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Love is coming off of a season-high 24 points and appears to be coming alive ahead of the deadline.

Someone will have to step up tonight for Cleveland in the backcourt with both Rubio and Garland out.

Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal's pending return could be the boost the Wizards need. The former Florida guard scored 37 in a road win over Utah his last time out.  boost

Spencer Dinwiddie has finally got his legs back under him, and he's stepped up in Beal's absence. Dinwiddie is averaging a well-rounded 13.1 ppg in his first year in the Capitol.

Washington will be without Montrezz Harrell for this one, meaning more minutes for Kyle Kuzma. The fifth-year forward is averaging 13.1 ppg and a career-best 8.1 rpg. 

Davis Bertans could be big in this one with Harrell out. The 6'10 sniper has hit nine three's in his past two games.

Prediction

Both teams will enter this one undermanned, but it's the host who may be getting a pair of key pieces tonight. This Cleveland team has overachived, but they depleted at the moment, and this gives the Wizards a chance to take a much needed win from a playoff foe.

Take Washington's spread confidently tonight.

PICK: Washington Wizards -3.5

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