Cleveland Cavaliers (29-4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (20-14)
January 3, 2025 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Mavericks +5.5; Over/Under: +228.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to the American Airlines Center to battle the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. Here’s a Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire as they’ve won 12 of their last 13 games overall and they will be gunning for a ninth straight victory after blowing past the Lakers in a 122-110 road win on Tuesday. Jarrett Allen led the team in scoring with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks, Donovan Mitchell added 26 points, Evan Mobley added 20 points, while Darius Garland chipped in with 14 points and 14 assists.
As a team, the Cavaliers shot 48 percent from the field and 18 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 34 points in the first quarter to take the early lead. The Cavs just kept the Lakers at bay until the fourth quarter where they finished with a flurry to earn another double-digit win on the road where they are now 12-3 on the season.
Dallas Mavericks
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been doing it tough lately, as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall. The Mavs will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting routed by the Rockets in a 110-99 road defeat on Wednesday. Quentin Grimes led the team in scoring with just 17 points off the bench, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson scored 16 points each, while Jaden Hardy chipped in with 11 points.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 53 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from the 3-point line. The Mavs weren’t at their best on the defensive end and were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 37-22 in the second quarter.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last 10 games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Mavericks’ last 10 games at American Airlines Center following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the Cavaliers’ last nine games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavaliers could be shorthanded again with Sam Merrill listed as questionable, while the Mavericks are keeping an eye on Maxi Kleber and PJ Washington, who are both questionable. The Cavaliers have been the benchmark of the league since the start of the season, and they haven’t shown any signs of slowing down, especially now that they’re back to full health. The Mavericks have struggled since Luka Doncic went down with injury and I think that continues in this matchup as the Cavaliers are just in a groove right now. The line is reasonable for this one, so I am sticking with the Cavaliers to come away with a ninth straight win in this spot.
