Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 3, 2025

The rampaging Cleveland Cavaliers look to sweep through a four-game road trip with a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. On an eight-game winning streak, Cleveland hopes to defeat Dallas despite playing on short rest. The Cavs could get the job done, as the hosts will not have Luka Doncic and Naji Marshall, while P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber are questionable.

The Mavericks have unsurprisingly struggled without Doncic, the NBA’s reigning scoring champ. Without the Slovenian, they are 0-4 and desperately looking for answers. Perhaps Cleveland’s short rest will give them an edge and help them snap out of their funk.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks Preview, Prediction, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips

The American Airlines Center in Dallas will host the Cavaliers-Mavericks tussle. Basketball fans can stream the action live by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Cavaliers (-280) vs. Mavericks (+230)

Odds: Cavaliers (-7.0) vs. Mavericks (+7.0)

Total (O/U): Cavaliers (o230.5 -110) vs. Mavericks (u230.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers, owners of the best offensive rating in the NBA, overwhelmed the LA Lakers 122-110 on Tuesday. Although playing the second night of a back-to-back set, Donovan Mitchell and Co. look to outclass another opponent behind their blistering attacks.

The Dallas Mavericks have struggled on the offensive end without their best scorer and most creative orchestrator. Without Doncic, the Mavs defense has to step up to slow down the juggernaut Cavs offense.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington must help Kyrie Irving carry the offense. If Irving can’t get a boost from his teammates, stopping the buzzsaw from Cleveland will be a tall task.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks predicted starting lineups

Cavaliers

PG: Darius Garland | SG: Donovan Mitchell | SF: Dean Wade | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Jarrett Allen

Mavericks

PG: Kyrie Irving | PG: Spencer Dinwiddie | SG: Klay Thompson | PF: PJ Washington | C: Dereck Lively II

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks betting tips

Donovan Mitchell averaged 23.1 points per game in December but is putting up 24.6 PPG in his last five games. Dallas’s perimeter defense is one of the worst in the NBA, making it likely for Spida to top his 23.5 (O/U) points prop.

Kyrie Irving has struggled in December against teams ranked in the top 10 in defensive rating. Except for his 39-point output versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day, he has averaged 18.3 PPG against such teams.

Heading into Friday’s matchup, the Cavaliers are ninth in that category. Cleveland will not hesitate to send double teams at Irving without Doncic around. Uncle Drew could fail to score over 26 points.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Dallas Mavericks prediction

The Cavaliers may be short on rest, yet they are healthy and performing well on both sides of the court. Without Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are struggling to find their rhythm. Cleveland is expected to win and cover the -7.0 spread.