basketball | Monday, February 6, 2023 1:31 PM

Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder Tips: 1.91 Wager For Monday Night Game

Sam Cox

Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder: Monday, February 6th

The 24-28 Washington Wizards host the 33-22 Cleveland Cavaliers in the capital on Monday night. Cleveland enters this game on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Pacers in blowout fashion on Sunday. The road team have a 5-3 record when playing without any rest, and the Wizards are curiously 5-9 straight up with a rest advantage.

Powered by a young core, load management is not such a factor for the Cavaliers as it is with many of their fellow contenders. Washington is not exactly refreshed at the moment either, returning home for a third game in four nights. Kyle Kuzma and Anthony Gill are both out, while star guard Bradley Beal is listed as day-to-day.

Caris LeVert is questionable on Cleveland’s injury report. Dylan Windler is their only confirmed absentee.

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Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Bet Builder

Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

Tue, Feb 07. 00:10 (UK time)

After a lengthy winning streak, the Wizards have lost their last two. Taking advantage of a favourable schedule is one thing, but Washington has again shown it is not a playoff calibre team. They are 22nd in net rating on the season, and lost to the Cavaliers earlier this season (admittedly in overtime).

Cleveland is second in net rating across the whole season and holds the same spot over the last 10 games. They have beaten up weaker teams, going 17-6 against those below. 500, while Washington has a 14-19 record against teams with more wins than losses.

Kuzma’s absence is very significant here. Washington is -5 per 100 possessions without the former Laker, and +1.9 in his minutes. Cleveland is set to have its key players all available for this one, including All-Star Donovan Mitchell and point guard Darius Garland.

Mitchell’s scoring has been centre of attention for much of the season, but Garland has really stepped up over the last few weeks. Adept on or off ball, Garland is a talented playmaker, crafty scorer and knockdown shooter. Cleveland is a massive +6.9 in Garland’s minutes.

The Indiana native has gone over 15.5 points (his alternate points line on Monday night) in 11 consecutive games. He has recorded five or more assists in every game of that span, too.

Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers Best Bet

The Cavs are favoured by 3.5 points at the time of writing. With how they have played of late, and Washington’s recent losses, that number seems more than fair with Kuzma out.

On this occasion, though, there is better value in taking the moneyline for the road team and pairing it with a couple of Garland props. His versatile skillset on offence is integral to the Cavs’ play – he can cruise beyond these numbers against a Wiz defence which ranks 16th over the last 10.