The best team in the NBA comes to Dallas for its only time this year
We’ve reached the dog days of the NBA calendar, right between Christmas Day and the NBA All-Star Break. Teams often separate themselves from the pack in this rather monotonous time, which means it’s time to grit our teeth and go to work. Friday night, the NBA’s best team by record, the Cleveland Cavaliers (29-4) come to Dallas to match up with the Dallas Mavericks (20-14). While shorthanded, it is understood that the Mavs will certainly lose some games here. However, they can’t lose them all or else this thing can get off the rails rather quickly. Tonight is a chance to steal one from the NBA’s best. Let’s get into the handicap.
Last week’s results
David: 1-3 (-$130)
Tyler: 3-1 (+$265)
Season to date
David: -$221
Tyler: +$212
December was an excellent month for our game of the week plays, as we went 15-9 on our picks for the month and profited over $500 in Mavs Moneybucks. For the year, we have essentially just pushed money around, as we sit at 27-34-1 for a whopping $9 loss. It’s important to get off on the right foot in 2025, which is what we will do!
Game intangibles
Cleveland Cavaliers (29-4) vs Dallas Mavericks (20-14)
Tipoff: 7:30p from the American Airlines Center
How to watch: KFAA Ch. 29 or Mavs TV
Game odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook as of 12p
Spread: Cavs -7 (-115/-105)
Over/Under: 231.5 (-112/-108)
Moneyline: Dallas +225
David’s picks
PJ Washington under 13.5 points (-110)
Donovan Mitchell 25+ points (-105)
Game total under 231.5 (-108)
Jarrett Allen over 24.5 points + rebounds (-110)
Tyler’s picks
Cavs -7 (-115)
Kyrie Irving 30+ points (+150)
Spencer Dinwiddie under 15.5 points (-125)
Cavs 1st quarter -2.5 (-110)