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Despite the slow start, the Cavs are widely expected to be the team that finishes atop the heap in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards are one of the main contenders and would love to send an early message with a home victory.
It’s hard to count out Cleveland in any game but there is no doubt the Cavaliers need to start playing better.
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Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers have lost three straight games and are just 1-2 on the road, while the Wizards have been much more impressive this season. Even so, it only takes one great LeBron performance for Cleveland to capture this victory.
This is a hard game to peg. If the oddsmakers are putting a lot of stock in the early-season struggles, then Cleveland could be the road underdog. However, it is always hard to bet against LeBron.
Key Stat
110.1. That’s the points allowed per game the Cavaliers are giving up this season, which is one of the worst marks in the Eastern Conference. The team has some athletic players but obviously everyone is still figuring out how to play together.
Cleveland doesn’t have Irving any more but still has plenty of firepower. That will get upgraded even more in a couple of months when Isaiah Thomas gets back. In order to stay near the top of the conference without him, the Cavaliers’ defense must improve.
They will be tested in this one as the Wizards are averaging more than 111 points per contest.
Player To Watch
John Wall -- While James will be the best player on the court, the Wizards will have a great chance of winning if their star plays well. Wall has put together another nice season. He is averaging 21.7 points per game this season while adding 10.3 assists and 1.1 blocks.
Wall is shooting just 39.3 percent from the field this year and must improve on that number, but it is still early in the season and that number should go up. Wall is a perennial all-star and is the main reason why the Wizards should be among the best teams in the East this season.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Cavaliers are going to put it all together at some point this season, but expect the struggles to continue in this one. The duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal will be hard to slow down, and the Wizards have a solid supporting cast.
The chemistry in Washington is far ahead of that in Cleveland, where the rest of the players are still trying to figure out their roles alongside James. This is a good opportunity to cash in on a game that figures to go against Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have plenty of talent but the defense has been a major problem. This one will likely feature plenty of scoring, and look for LeBron to have a huge game. However, he is not going to get enough support. The Wizards may not be able to stay ahead of Cleveland in the standings all season but this will be a nice early-season win nonetheless.
NBA Odds: Wizards 116, Cavaliers 113
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