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BETS: Best Picks for Cavs vs. Warriors

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  • What: NBA Regular Season Game
  • When: December 30, 2024
  • Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
  • Time:  7:10 p.m. PST
  • Where: Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rolling into the Chase Center with a jaw-dropping 27-4 record, and on paper, they look like the team to beat.

They’ve been dominating the league, boasting the best record and a stellar +12 point differential on the road. But here’s the kicker: something about this matchup has me feeling a little uneasy about the Cavs.

Sure, the numbers scream to back Cleveland, but my instincts are leaning toward the Warriors to pull off an upset.

Cleveland

Let’s break it down. The Cavs have been on fire, winning six straight games, including a recent 149-135 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

They’ve been lighting up the scoreboard, averaging a whopping 122.7 points per game, and their three-point shooting is off the charts at 41.5%.

Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley have been putting up numbers that would make any defense sweat. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Warriors are no slouches on defense.

They rank in the top 10 for defensive efficiency, and they’ve been particularly good at guarding the perimeter, holding opponents to just 34.5% from beyond the arc.

In terms of injuries, the Cavaliers are missing Isaac Okoro, while the Warriors will be without Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton II. However, Moses Moody is listed as probable, which could provide a boost off the bench.

The Warriors have been known to step up when their backs are against the wall, and this game is no different.

Golden State

Now, let’s talk about the Warriors. They come into this game with a 16-15 record, which isn’t exactly eye-popping, but they’ve shown flashes of brilliance.

After a rough patch, they managed to snag a win against the Phoenix Suns, and they’ll be looking to build on that momentum. The Warriors have a reputation for rising to the occasion, especially when they’re the underdogs at home.

They’ve been 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as home underdogs, which is a solid trend to consider.

The last time these two teams met, the Cavs handed the Warriors a 136-117 beatdown, and you can bet Golden State hasn’t forgotten that.

The Warriors are a proud franchise, and they’ll be looking to avenge that loss in front of their home crowd. With Steph Curry leading the charge, they have the firepower to keep up with Cleveland’s high-octane offense.

Curry is averaging 22.5 points, and if he gets hot, he can single-handedly swing the game in the Warriors’ favor.

Cavs-Warriors Best Bet

The betting line currently has the Cavs favored by 4.5 points, but I’m feeling the Warriors on the moneyline at +150 odds at BetMGM. It’s a classic case of the numbers telling one story while my gut tells another.

The Warriors have the home-court advantage, and they thrive in these types of situations. Plus, the Cavs have yet to lose to a Western Conference opponent this season, but every streak has to end sometime, right?

While the Cavaliers have been the better team this season, the Warriors are primed for an upset. They’ve got the defensive chops to slow down Cleveland’s offense, and with the added motivation of revenge, I’m betting on Golden State to come out on top.

So, let’s ride with the Warriors and see if they can deliver a statement win against the league’s best.

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Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!

Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.

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