Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Thursday Night Predictions

• The Cavs will try to make it five straight when they host the Wizards on Thursday night
• Can the Wizards break out of their two-game slump?
• Will LeBron post his 18^th triple-double of the season?

The Cavaliers (48-30, 28-11 home) have picked an awfully good time to start peaking. Cleveland enters Thursday night’s game against the Wizards (42-36, 20-19 away) having won four straight and nine of their last ten games.

The key to the Cavs’ resurgence has been good health, as Kevin Love, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr., and Tristan Thompson are all finally back on the court after missing long stretches with a variety of nagging injuries. Love looked particularly sharp in Tuesday’s 112-106 win over the Raptors as the 6’10” All-Star had 18 points on an ultra efficient 4-of-8 and also chipped in 15 boards. His ability to stretch the court opens up driving lanes for LeBron James and leads to open looks for the team’s many snipers.

The Wizards are also finally enjoying some good health of their own thanks to the long-awaited return of John Wall, who missed two months after undergoing knee surgery.

The Wizards are also finally enjoying some good health of their own thanks to the long-awaited return of John Wall, who missed two months after undergoing knee surgery. The polarizing guard had 15 points and 14 assists in his first game back against the Hornets and still has the trademark speed that makes him impossible to contain in the open court.

Despite Wall’s return, Washington has lost two straight and would benefit greatly from a win on Thursday to build some momentum for the playoffs.

Ryan Murphy 2017-18 Season Stats

• ATS record: 62-37 (62.6-percent)
• SU record: 361-143 (71.6-percent)
• O/U record: 45-37 (54.8-percent) 

Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Team Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

Head-to-Head Results

Cleveland has won two of its three games against Washington this season and likely would have won the third had they not been shuffling four new players into their rotation following the trade deadline. Their lack of familiarity with the team’s offensive schemes clearly effected the Cavs and led to 13 turnovers.

That shouldn’t happen again on Thursday night as Cleveland’s new recruits have now been with the team for two months and have become fully integrated on both ends of the court.

Notable Injuries and Absences

Straight-Up Advice: Cavs (112-106)

The Wizards and Cavs have both dealt with their fair share of injuries and upheaval in 2017-18, but whereas Washington is still looking to regain its rhythm, Cleveland is already there. The Cavs are averaging 116 points over their last nine wins and are playing the kind of inspired basketball that should have the rest of the NBA feeling very nervous. Love is hitting threes, Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood are getting out in transition, and LeBron is posting triple-doubles without even breaking a sweat.

The Wizards will likely find their groove soon, but it won’t be at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday night.

Team Trends

Additional SU Picks (April 5)

Wizards vs Cavs is just one of six games on tap on Thursday night. Here are our other five straight-up picks.