Cleveland Cavaliers (17-13) vs. Dallas Mavericks (17-12)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks 12/27/23 – As the NBA season unfolds, Wednesday’s meeting between Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks promises to be an epic showdown. Both teams are closely matched in terms of standings, making this game at American Airlines Center even more anticipated by fans and multi-handicapper predictions alike.
The Cavaliers have displayed consistent performances this season. Averaging 112 points per game on average with 47.3% in field goals and 35.3% in three-pointers shooting, their offense averages 112 points per game while remaining strong defensively with an average of 43.9 rebounds per game – their Achilles’ Heel could be turnovers, however (averaged 13.5 per game), which could be exploited by Dallas Mavericks who recently went 4-1 against them; their challenge will be maintaining this momentum on the road vs their opponent.
The Mavericks come to the court boasting an explosive offense, averaging 119 points per game on average. Their strength lies in three-point shooting; making 15.7 three-point field goals at 36.9% success rate every game, led by Luka Doncic who has played an instrumental role. Unfortunately their defense – especially rebounding (averaged 42.5), falls slightly short compared to that of Cavaliers compared to which may cause concern; yet their ability to perform under pressure especially at home should not be underrated
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks 12/27/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | American Airlines Center |
| TV: | BSSW |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Donovan Mitchell SG vs. Luka Doncic PG
Donovan Mitchell has taken his game to new heights since arriving in Cleveland, establishing himself as an MVP candidate by averaging career highs in points, rebounds and field goal percentage. His quickness and handle make him a scoring threat from all three levels, while his vision as a playmaker has improved as well. However, he occasionally struggles with shot selection and turning the ball over. Mitchell will need an efficient outing, getting teammates involved while taking smart shots.
Luka Don?i? is putting up video game numbers on a nightly basis, utilizing his size, court vision and scoring ability to dominate games. He can score from all over the floor, rebound at a high clip for his position and thread needle passes to open teammates. Still, he has a propensity to turn the ball over and lacks elite lateral quickness defensively. Don?i? getting his teammates going early will be key, as Cleveland has multiple wing defenders to throw at him.
This matchup of All-Star guards could decide the outcome, with both Mitchell and Don?i? needing to balance scoring with setting up others. Whichever star gets rolling while limiting mistakes should give his team the edge.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds are yet to be determined, bettors should keep a close eye on the evolving market. Given the close nature of this matchup, the odds are likely to reflect the tight competition and recent form of both teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends
The Cavaliers have covered in 4 straight games and 7 of their last 10. They’ve been strong on the road against the spread as well, covering in 7 of 13 away contests. With nine of their previous 16 totals going over, Cleveland has seen high-scoring affairs more often than not. Riding their hot streak against the spread could pay dividends.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends
Conversely, Dallas has failed to cover in 3 of their past 5 outings. However, they boast an impressive 9-6 against the spread record at home this season. The Mavericks’ last 5 contests have evenly split overs and unders. Backing Dallas given their home dominance ATS could make sense despite their recent struggles.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks 12/27/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game is poised to be a closely contested battle. The Cavaliers, with their balanced offense and defense, seem well-equipped to take on the Mavericks’ high-scoring but slightly less robust defense. The key will be how well each team’s stars can perform and exploit the other’s weaknesses.
For bettors, the choice between the two teams might come down to recent form and home-court advantage. Prop bets, especially on player performances like points scored by Donovan Mitchell or Luka Doncic, could offer value. As for the over/under, given both teams’ tendency to be involved in high-scoring games, the over might be a compelling option. In this high-stakes matchup, our pro basketball free picks lean towards a narrow victory for the Cavaliers, with a predicted score that reflects their offensive strength and defensive resilience.
Free Pick and Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers 118, Dallas Mavericks 115