The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11) aim to build on a hot streak when they visit the hapless Washington Wizards (3-19) at Capital One Arena on Friday night. Cleveland, fourth in the East, rides a four-game win streak fueled by Donovan Mitchell’s scoring clinic and Evan Mobley’s two-way dominance, positioning them as legit contenders. Washington, owners of the NBA’s worst record, scrapes for pride amid a rebuild, leaning on Bilal Coulibaly’s breakout and Jordan Poole’s volume shooting—but their 28th-ranked defense invites exploitation. This Southeast-Central clash projects as a Cavaliers blowout, but the Wizards’ desperation could spark an upset bid in a classic mismatch.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. (capacity: 20,356). The Wizards’ downtown staple has been a house of horrors for opponents this season? Wait, no—actually a 1-10 home mark, with Washington’s league-worst -12.4 net rating amplifying the visiting edge.
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Ohio (Cavaliers regional), Monumental Sports Network (Wizards regional) (TV); NBA League Pass (streaming). Radio: Cavaliers Radio Network (92.3 The Fan) and Wizards Radio Network (980 AM/98.7 FM).
Injury Report
Cleveland’s depth holds firm with minor tweaks, while Washington’s frontcourt woes persist without Alex Sarr’s rim protection. Updates as of December 11, 2025 (4 p.m. ET report)—finals at 5 p.m.; Embiid-like load management for Mobley possible.
Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Max Strus | SG | Out | Right Knee; Soreness | Missed last two; shooter (36% 3PT) impacts spacing—est. return Dec 17. |
| Dean Wade | SF | Out | Right Ankle; Sprain | Seventh straight absence; defensive wing, 6.2 PPG pre-injury. |
| Jaylon Tyson | SF | Questionable | Left Calf; Tightness | Rookie depth; practiced limitedly, could see spot minutes. |
| Sam Merrill | SG | Probable | Illness | Scored 12 off bench last game; full go after missing shootaround. |
Washington Wizards (3-19)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Alex Sarr | PF | Out | Left Ankle; Sprain | Rookie star sidelined four games; 12.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG—huge paint loss. |
| Marvin Bagley III | PF | Out | Right Knee; Soreness | 10th absence; rebounder (6.8 RPG) thins frontcourt further. |
| Richaun Holmes | C | Out | Right Achilles; Tendinopathy | Season-long issue; backup big, impacts rotation. |
| Kyshawn George | SG | Questionable | Right Shoulder; Contusion | Defensive specialist; GTD after tweak in loss to Knicks. |
| Johnny Davis | SG | Probable | Left Hamstring; Strain | Returned vs. NYK with 8 PTS; no limitations expected. |
Key Player Matchups
Cleveland’s top-5 offense (118.2 ORtg) feasts on Washington’s 30th-ranked defense (120.8 DRtg allowed), but Poole’s shot creation tests the Cavs’ perimeter. These battles highlight the talent gap in a 122-108 projected Cavs win.
Cavaliers SG Donovan Mitchell vs. Wizards SG Jordan Poole: Mitchell (28.4 PPG, 6.1 APG last 10) erupts in mismatches (32 PTS vs. WAS Nov); Poole (22.1 PPG, 41% FG) volumes up but inefficient (35% 3PT)—Mitchell’s quickness holds foes to 42% on drives.
Cavaliers PF Evan Mobley vs. Wizards PF Kyle Kuzma: Mobley (16.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG) owns the glass (team-high 14.2% OREB); Kuzma (21.8 PPG) switches but yields 1.1 offensive boards/gm to bigs—Mobley’s D disrupts Washington’s 24th-ranked paint scoring.
Cavaliers PG Darius Garland vs. Wizards PG Tyus Jones: Garland (18.5 PPG, 6.8 APG) slices pick-and-rolls; Jones (7.2 APG) anchors but Washington’s 27th-ranked transition D invites Garland’s speed (team 14.1 fast-break PPG).
Cavaliers SF De’Andre Hunter vs. Wizards SF Bilal Coulibaly: Hunter (15.4 PPG, 1.2 SPG) clamps wings; Coulibaly (13.8 PPG, 1.5 SPG) flashes upside but turnover-prone (2.1/gm)—Hunter’s physicality exploits WAS’s youth.
Matchups scream Cavs dominance, but Wizards’ athleticism could yield transition pops.
Team Records and Recent Form
Cleveland surges toward contention, while Washington eyes the draft lottery with futility. Cavs face the 10th-toughest schedule; Wizards the 25th (easier foes, worse results).
| Team | Record | Conf. Record | Streak | Division Rank |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 14-11 | 10-7 | W4 | 2nd Central |
| Washington Wizards | 3-19 | 2-13 | L3 | 5th Southeast |
Recent Form (Last 5 Games)
Cleveland: 4-1. Wins: 118-112 @ TOR (Dec 10, Mitchell 35 PTS), 115-108 vs. CHI (Dec 8, Mobley double-double), 122-110 @ DET (Dec 5), 104-100 vs. BKN (Dec 3). Loss: 121-116 @ MIA (Nov 30). Offense: 117.8 PPG; Defense: 109.4 allowed. Streak features +8.2 net rating.
Washington: 0-5. Losses: 110-104 vs. NYK (Dec 10, Poole 28 PTS in defeat), 123-115 @ BKN (Dec 8, turnover plague 20), 118-112 @ ATL (Dec 6), 130-125 OT @ BOS (Dec 3), 112-108 vs. ORL (Dec 1). Offense: 110.2 PPG; Defense: 119.6 allowed. No wins since Nov 15.
Cavs’ momentum crushes Wizards’ despair.
Series History
Cleveland dominates this 70-year rivalry, winning 8 of the last 10 amid Washington’s rebuild. Games average 226.4 total points, with overs 7-3 last 10. Cavs have swept the last three meetings.
| All-Time Record | Cavs Wins | Wizards Wins | Last 10 (2016-2025) |
| Cavs 128-102 | 128 | 102 | Cavs 8-2 |
Notable: Cavs’ 132-102 rout (Mar 2025); Wizards’ 113-108 upset (Nov 2024). Cavs 7-3 SU last 10; road faves 6-4 ATS.
Betting Trends
Cavs 11-13-1 ATS (5-3 as 10+ fave); Wizards 9-12-1 ATS (7-4 as double-digit dog). Series: Overs 7-3 last 10; blowouts (15+ pts) 5-2 SU for faves.
Game Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers – 14
Washington Wizards 242.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 11, 2025
