Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors NBA Picks & Predictions 12/25/2017

Monday, December 25, 2017

Oracle Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Oracle Arena to play the Golden State Warriors on Monday, December 25, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Golden State as 7.5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers come into this game with an overall record of 24-9. They are 1st in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.7 as they are averaging 111.3 points per game while giving up 107.6 per contest. The Warriors have an overall mark of 26-7. They currently are 1st in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 115.0 points per contest and giving up 105.0, which is a point differential of 10.0.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 11-21-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 17-15-1 against the over/under

Important Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 15-18-0 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 16-17-0 against the over/under

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/23/17 G J.R. Smith Knee is upgraded to probable Monday vs Golden State
12/21/17 PG Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely
11/30/17 G Iman Shumpert Knee is out indefinitely
11/17/17 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/24/17 F Draymond Green Elbow injured last game, is probable Monday vs Cleveland
12/24/17 PG Shaun Livingston Knee is upgraded to probable Monday vs Cleveland
12/23/17 C Zaza Pachulia Shoulder is "?" Monday vs Cleveland
12/05/17 PG Stephen Curry Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lebron James comes into this contest averaging 28.4 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Cavaliers. He pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 57% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Kevin Love averages 19.8 points per game in 29.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2 assists per contest and 10.1 rebounds per game for Cleveland. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Klay Thompson averages 20.7 points per game while playing 34 minutes per contest this year for the Warriors. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%. Kevin Durant averages 26.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 111.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.76 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 41.5 rebounds per game and 24.1 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.5 per game. The Cavaliers allow 107.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State is 2nd in the league with 115 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 51%, while their average scoring margin is 10. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 30.1. The Warriors are 4th in turnovers per game with 16.3. The Warriors surrender 105 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 23 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The Warriors are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 114.5 is ranked 5th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Cleveland is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Golden State is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 30th in the league. The Warriors are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.1, and their defensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 1st. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Warriors NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Golden State -7.5

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