Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, December 27 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Cavaliers about a 90% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Cavaliers 90%, with a projected score of Washington Wizards 106, Cleveland Cavaliers 120. The rating gap is 290 points in favor of the Cavaliers, and home court and rest add about 99 rating points for the Cavaliers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 10 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Wizards are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -9. The Cavaliers are 0-1 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -17.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
The Cavaliers were beaten 130-93 at home by NYK not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, Khalifa Diop (CLE), Nae'Qwan Tomlin (CLE), and Ernest Udeh, Jr. (CLE).
Day to day or questionable: AJ Dybantsa (WAS). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Cavaliers lead 8-0, with the Cavaliers outscoring the Wizards by an average of 18.1 points per game. The last meeting was WAS 117, CLE 130.