Wizards vs Cavaliers Prediction - NBA Picks 3/17/23

The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Washington Wizards at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night.

The Washington Wizards have been in a slump as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game skid with a 117-97 win over the Pistons on Tuesday. Bradley Beal led the team with 36 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points with seven rebounds and four assists while Corey Kispert chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Wizards shot 51 percent from the field and seven of 32 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter to jump out to an early double-digit lead, before they poured in another 33 points in the third quarter to push the lead out to 25 points.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in fine form as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back here after getting beaten by the 76ers in a 118-109 loss on Wednesday. Caris LeVert led the team with 24 points and six assists off the bench, Donovan Mitchell added 21 points while Darius Garland and Cedi Osman scored 15 points apiece. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 41 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control when they poured in 36 points in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime, only to get blown out by 63-49 in the second half as they just had no answer for the 76ers’ Joel Embiid who torched them for 36 points.