By: Ben Hayes Published 12/12/2025, 12:21 AM ET 
Both teams have had short breaks due to the NBA Cup, so check out this Cavs vs. Wizards prediction. They also met on Nov. 7, with Cleveland crushing the Wiz 148-115 as a 13.5-point favorite. Cleveland (14-11) has had a disappointing start, but they’ve had some injuries that have hampered them. Washington (3-19) is arguably the worst team in the NBA, but they haven’t played since Dec. 6, so maybe they can halt a three-game losing streak. Cleveland is the 14.5-point road favorite in this Friday night matchup from Washington D.C., while the total is 242.5. Check out more free NBA picks and college basketball this weekend at Winners and Whiners.
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Terms & Conditions Cavs going through a rough patch
Cleveland (14-11) was so good last season that many forget because they came up short in the playoffs. But lately, they’ve been bad, losing five of their last seven, including a 99-94 home defeat against Golden State on Dec. 6 as 9.5-point favorites. The Cavs were terrible against the Warriors, shooting just 35% from the field and 24% from long range. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 29 points and shot 7 of 14 from beyond the arc, but nobody else scored over 20 points.
According to DunksandThrees.com, Cleveland is 7th in Net Rankings, 8th in Adjusted Offensive Rating and 8th in Adjusted Defense. Mitchell leads the Pacers with 30.5 points with 5.5 assists, while shooting 50.2% from the field. Evan Mobley adds 18.9 points and 9.1 rebounds with 4.0 assists. The Cavs miss center Jarrett Allen, who averages 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds. He’s missed 10 games due to injuries and is out for this matchup.
Key Injuries for Pacers: C J. Allen (hand) is out. G Max Strus (foot) could return shortly. Has missed the entire season. Rebuilding is not easy
Washington is just awful, but expectations were not high for this 3-win Wizards’ team. Washington has also suffered a ton of injuries, but even when healthy, they’ve been bad. They last won a game on Dec. 1, beating Milwaukee 129-126 at home as a 10-point dog. They’ve lost three straight since then, falling in their last game at home to Atlanta, 131-116 as a 9.5-point dog.
Leading scorer Alex Sarr (19.1ppg, 8.6rpg) has been limited to 16 games due to injuries and he’s going to miss this game with a thigh injury. They’re also missing F Bilal Coulibaly (oblique), who is one of their best defenders. C.J. McCollum is their top scorer with Sarr out. He’s averaging 18.6 points per game and is shooting 40.2% from long range. Rookie guard Tre Johnson, who has played in just 15 games due to a hip injury, averages 11.5 points and is expected to return for this game.
Key Injuries for Wizards: C A. Sarr (thigh) is out. Leading scorer and rebounder F B. Coulibaly (oblique) is out. F Khris Middleton (knee) is out. G Corey Kispert (right thumb) is out 2-3 weeks. Spread Picks and Prediction for Cavs vs. WizardsCavaliers vs. Wizards Pick Washington +14.5 (4 units)
I think Allen had played, Washington would have been destroyed in the paint with Sarr out. But Mobley is not a true center and Marvin Bagley Jr, will give what he has for the Wizards. The extra days of practice will help a Washington team that desperately needs it, while Tre Johnson’s return can only boost a team that needs it. The Cavs have covered just three of their last 10 games.
Washington won’t have their leading scorer in Saar along with Middleton so they are going to have to grind this one out. Cleveland wants to push the ball, but their offense has been stuck in neutral lately. Washington is 24th in the NBA in home scoring.
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