Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 28, 2016

LeBron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to bounce back after a stinging loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday, one that has left bitter tastes in their mouths. They can get that win later tonight in Verizon Center, where the Washington Wizards aim for their fifth-straight home victory.

Read on for more about this game. You can also check out our breakdown of Raptors vs. Pistons.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Betting Preview

Where: Verizon Center, Washington

When: Sunday, February 28, 2016, 1:30 PM ET

Line: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards– view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: TBA

Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-16)

Following a 99-97 loss to Toronto on Friday, LeBron James told the media that the Cavs lacks mental toughness. They’re certainly going to need that later tonight, as Cleveland is about to tackle a road game against the rapidly heating up Washington. For what it’s worth, the Cavs are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 games in Washington.

With the trio of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving in their fold, the Cavs should be the last team to whine about lack of talent. James, who scored 25 points in the loss to Toronto, was a monster the last time Cleveland met Washington on January 6—a 121-115 Cavs win. In that game, James erupted for 34 points with 10 rebounds and four assists. Irving, on the other hand, had 32 points on 10-for-16 shooting.

Love mustered just eight points in the previous matchup with the Wizards, but he’s expected to deliver tonight, considering that he’s stepped up his play of late. Love is averaging 16.0 points per game this season, but has managed to bring that figure up to 19.2 over the Cavs’ last five outings.

Love is also the team’s leading rebounder, and the Cavs will be counting on him to haul down plenty of boards. After all, the Wizards are the worst rebounding team in the league with only 40.5 boards per game. Cleveland, meanwhile, is seventh with 44.8 per contest.

Cleveland hit 12 threes against Washington back in January and doesn’t seem to cool down from beyond the arc, as the Cavs just went 12-for-24 from deep against Toronto. Their outside sniping’s outlook later tonight looks good against Washington’s defense that allows the second-highest three-point shooting percentage in the NBA.

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Betting on the Washington Wizards (27-30)

The Wizards saw Kyle Lowry drop 43 points against Cleveland on Friday and their own All-Star point guard looks to do the same later tonight. That’s John Wall of course, who’s no stranger to having a big game against Cleveland.

Wall was terrific in the first meeting with Cleveland this season, recording a double-double of 35 points and 10 assists to go along with four rebounds and five steals to lead Washington to a 97-85 win on December 1. Kyrie Irving didn’t play in that game because of injury, however. Wall had a nice game in the January matchup with Cleveland, scoring 20 points and dishing out 12 dimes, albeit in a loss.

Washington is coming off an easy 103-94 win against Philadelphia on Friday, wherein Wall had another all-around outing, producing 23 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists.

Jared Dudley has been a nice source of points for Washington, as eight-year veteran has averaged 12.6 points over the Wizards’ last five games. He’s 12-for-28 from the three-point area during that stretch.

The Wizards don’t have much problem on offense, as they’re 11th in the league with 102.6 points per game, but their defense needs to be a lot tighter later tonight. Washington has surrendered 89.5 points in four victories thus far since the All-Star break. In 30 losses this season, however, the Wizards have allowed 110.7 points.

Washington is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Cleveland wins, 108-102.

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