NBA Basketball
2012-04-25 - Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 25 April 2012 - Tip Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The final home game of the regular season is for the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-43) and there were plenty of signs this season to think the future could be bright for a franchise that lost LeBron James a couple of years ago.
They face the Washington Wizards (18-46) who have begun to pick up wins as the season as been winding down. Washington have beaten the likes of Miami, Chicago and Orlando as they have gone 6-2 in their last 8 games and they have won 4 in a row.
Both of these teams will be completing their schedules against the top 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference tomorrow night as Washington will host Miami and Cleveland will be travelling to Chicago.
These two will also be playing a lot of the players that may make an impact for them in the coming year. Tristan Thompson and Kyrie Irving will be leading the Cavaliers, while Nene and John Wall will be the big players for the Wizards.
The Head Coaches of both teams are also very happy with the effort the teams are showing despite having nothing to play for and with the regular season winding down.
Head to Head
Cleveland and Washington have split two games this season, both played in the nation's capital, although the Cavaliers have won both against the spread.
The Cavaliers are 3-1 both straight up and against the spread in their last 4 at home against the Wizards.
Cleveland are 13-19 against the spread at home this season, Washington are 15-17 on the road.
Cleveland are 4-7 against the spread as the favourite, Washington are 23-29-1 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Cleveland are just 2-6 against the spread in their last 8 games as the home favourite.
They are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games against a team with a losing record.
Washington are 7-15 against the spread in their last 22 games against a team that has won less than 40% of their home games.
Prediction
I am going to take the Cleveland Cavaliers to end their home season with a win for the following reasons:
First, Washington have been in the midst of a tough run of games and they could overlook this one with the game against Miami at home tomorrow night.
Second, Cleveland beat Washington on the road last week and have been strong at home against them in recent games in the series.
Third, I think this will mean for the home team who will want to give their fans something to smile about as they go into the off-season.
The Pick :
Cleveland Cavaliers 93-90 Washington Wizards
