The Cleveland Cavaliers currently sit third in the Western Conference and the Washington Wizards fourth. Thus, just a slight movement by either team and Thursday’s matchup could be a first-round playoff preview. The Cavs are home NBA betting lines favorites as the clubs come out of the All-Star break.
For the first time in franchise history, the Cavaliers have scored at least 120 points in 4 straight games (all wins). Over that span (since Feb. 7), the Cavs are averaging 126.0 points (.543 FG%), 27.5 assists (10.8 turnovers) and 17.0 three-pointers (.479 3FG%, 68-142). Cleveland has won by an average of 12.0 points during their 4-game win streak (126.0-114.0).
James (10,992 FGM) is 8 field goals away from becoming just the 7th player in league history make 11,000 career field goals. James (7,961) is also 27 assists away from passing Rod Strickland (7,987) for 11th place on the NBA’s all-time assists list. During the Cavs’ win streak, LeBron is averaging 30.0 points (.553 FG%, .455 3FG%), 9.5 rebounds and 13.0 assists in 39.3.
LeBron has posted a double-double in 8 straight games against Washington, including a triple-double performance in the most recent meeting (20 PTS, 11 REB, 15 AST on Dec. 17) and a franchise-record tying 57 points and 11 rebounds in the Nov. 3 contest.
Wizards at Cavaliers NBA Betting Lines & Game Preview – February 22nd
When: Thursday, 8 PM ET Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland TV: TNT Stream: NBA.tv Radio: 1500 AM (Washington) / 1100 AM (Cleveland) NBA Betting Lines: Cavs -6.5 (220.5)Bradley Beal on his All-Star experience, playing for #TeamLeBron, and the new look Cavs.#WizCavs pic.twitter.com/rGIA5JBtHj
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 21, 2018
Season Series
Cleveland leads 2-0. On Nov. 3 in D.C., the Cavs won a shootout 130-122. LeBron James had 57 points, the second-most of his Hall of Fame career. He hadn’t scored that many since getting a career-high 61 for the Miami Heat on March 3, 2014, against the Charlotte Hornets. James hit 23 of 34 field-goal tries and all nine free throws, adding 11 rebounds and seven assists. Bradley Beal had 36 points for Washington. John Wall, currently hurt, had 13 points and 15 assists. On Dec. 17 also in D.C., the Cavs won 106-99. James finished with 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds. Kevin Love, currently out injured, had 25 points and nine rebounds. Beal led Washington with 27 points, and Wall had 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. The Wizards were without arguably the third-best player, forward Otto Porter, due to a hip injury.Why Bet on Washington?
The Wizards (33-24) come out of the break on a two-game winning streak. They won at the Knicks 118-113 last Wednesday. Bradley Beal scored 36 points, and Washington overcame a 27-point deficit. Otto Porter Jr. added 22 points and Ian Mahinmi had 17 for the Wizards, who hold the fourth playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The largest comeback win of the season had been produced by the Celtics, who rallied from 26 points down to beat the Rockets 99-98 on Dec. 28. It marked the biggest comeback for Washington since the team changed names to the Wizards for the 1997-98 season. In addition to the overall comeback, Washington trailed by 21 at the half, marking just the third time in franchise history the team won a game after trailing by 20+ at the half. The Wizards remain without All-Star point guard John Wall. He had knee surgery two weeks ago and reportedly no longer needs crutches and shows no visible hitch in his walk. He’s still expected to miss at least another month. “I haven’t really tried to get back on the court yet so, just doing the little things. And I haven’t started running yet. So whenever I get to that point I can kind of start grasping stuff and understanding what level I’m at but right now it’s between six to eight weeks,” he said. “It might be longer but I don’t know. I haven’t got to that point.” The Wizards will have his backup, Tim Frazier, available for this one. He missed the Wizards’ last game after undergoing nasal fracture surgery, but he’s had some time to recover over the break. He’ll be sporting a face mask and is the No. 2 to Tomas Satoransky.Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 107.42
- Field Goals: 46.75%
- Three Points: 36.90%
- Free Throws: 76.74%
- Rebounds: 42.84
- Average Score Against: 105.53
- Field Goals: 45.74%
- Three Points: 34.13%
- Free Throws: 76.41%
- Rebounds: 43.16
Why Bet on Cleveland?
The Cavs look renewed since GM Koby Altman made three big moves at the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Cleveland entered the break on a four-game winning streak. Trailing the Toronto Raptors by 6½ games with 26 to play, the Cavs might not secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But there’s no question the Cavs are better equipped to capture the franchise’s second championship follow the trades. As LeBron James said on TNT after being selected MVP of Sunday’s All-Star Game, “You get me into the playoffs, one seed or eight seed, I got a chance to go to the Finals.” James led his All-Star team to a spirited win with 29 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, four 3-pointers and one steal in a game-high 31 minutes. LeBron passed Oscar Robertson for fifth-most assists in All-Star game history, and he’s just two assists behind Bob Cousy.
For the first time in franchise history, the Cavaliers have scored at least 120 points in 4 straight games (all wins). Over that span (since Feb. 7), the Cavs are averaging 126.0 points (.543 FG%), 27.5 assists (10.8 turnovers) and 17.0 three-pointers (.479 3FG%, 68-142). Cleveland has won by an average of 12.0 points during their 4-game win streak (126.0-114.0).
James (10,992 FGM) is 8 field goals away from becoming just the 7th player in league history make 11,000 career field goals. James (7,961) is also 27 assists away from passing Rod Strickland (7,987) for 11th place on the NBA’s all-time assists list. During the Cavs’ win streak, LeBron is averaging 30.0 points (.553 FG%, .455 3FG%), 9.5 rebounds and 13.0 assists in 39.3.
LeBron has posted a double-double in 8 straight games against Washington, including a triple-double performance in the most recent meeting (20 PTS, 11 REB, 15 AST on Dec. 17) and a franchise-record tying 57 points and 11 rebounds in the Nov. 3 contest.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 110.18
- Field Goals: 47.42%
- Three Points: 36.99%
- Free Throws: 78.95%
- Rebounds: 41.71
- Average Score Against: 109.98
- Field Goals: 47.47%
- Three Points: 36.71%
- Free Throws: 73.51%
- Rebounds: 44.39
Latest NBA Betting Trends
- Washington is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 games
- Washington is 7-2 SU in the last 9 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
- Cleveland is 7-18 ATS in the last 25 games
- Cleveland is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games
