The Cleveland Cavaliers enter tonight’s contest on a massive eight-game win streak as they look to keep rolling against the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavs have lost three straight and will be without Luka Doncic (calf) for the next month, while P.J. Washington (knee) is also listed as questionable.
Despite Dallas’ injury woes, Cleveland opened as just a 6.5-point favorite – a spread I’m expecting them to cover easily in my Cavaliers vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, January 3.
Cavaliers vs Mavericks prediction
My best bet
Cavaliers –7 (+100 at bet365)
My analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in a league of their own in the Eastern Conference this season after starting the year with 15 straight victories and now closing in on another double-digit winning streak.
Not only have the Cavs been winning tons of games, but they’ve also been doing so in blowout fashion. Cleveland owns an average plus-minus of 11.9 - second-best in the NBA behind only Oklahoma City (12.2) - and has covered the spread in 72.7% of their games to lead all teams.
The Cavs have won by at least 10 points in each contest of this current eight-game run, and I don’t foresee that trend reversing against an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks squad.
The Mavs will be without Luka Doncic for the fourth straight game, going 1-3 in those contests while losing by at least 10 points in each of their last two.
Doncic (28.1 ppg) and P.J. Washington (12.5 ppg) are combining for more than one-third of Dallas’ scoring this season, and the Mavericks could be without both players tonight as Washington (knee) is also questionable.
That’ll leave a ton of pressure on the shoulders of Kyrie Irving, and while he’s having a solid season, the 32-year-old won’t be able to singlehandedly keep up with the NBA’s second-best offense.
Cavaliers vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Cavaliers –6.5
Over 230.5
Mitchell Over 23.5 points
The Cavs have been an Over machine all season long, cashing the Over in 22 of their 33 games this year. Cleveland has hit the Over in five of their last six games and eight of their last 10.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s leading scorer, has posted at least 23 points in three straight games, and I think he’ll have a good night against a Dallas defense that’s allowed at least 110 points in each of its last three defeats.
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Cavaliers vs Mavericks odds
Cavaliers vs Mavericks live odds
Cavaliers vs Mavericks opening odds
- Spread: Cleveland -6.5 (-110) | Dallas +6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Cleveland (-250) | Dallas (+195)
- Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-105) | Under 229.5 (-115)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Cavaliers vs Mavericks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Cavaliers opened as the 6.5-point favorite while going 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. The Mavericks are 1-4 ATS in their last five contests overall.
- Cleveland has dominated this matchup over the last couple of years with four straight wins against Dallas.
- The total opened at 230.5 points, and I think the Cavs offense should push this matchup towards the Over, as they’re averaging 125.4 points per game during their eight-game win streak.
Cavaliers vs Mavericks trend
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the 1H Moneyline in 26 of their last 33 games (+16.30 Units / 17% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Mavericks
| Location: | American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas |
| Date: | Friday, 1-3-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN OH, H KFAA |
Cavaliers vs Mavericks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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