Spurs vs. Cavaliers Picks and Prediction for Friday, December 5, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs will play the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, and we have you ready to go with our Spurs vs. Cavaliers prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from The Land is at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Cavs are five-point spread favorites, and the game total is 239 points.
This is the first matchup of the season between these teams. Cleveland won both matchups last season and is 8-2 (4-6 ATS) in its last ten games against San Antonio. The total went over in seven of those games. If you want the Spurs vs. Cavaliers prediction, read on to get our top NBA predictions and increase your bankroll!
Spurs keep winning, even without Wemby and Castle
San Antonio (15-6 SU, 12-8-1 ATS, and 11-10 O/U) beat Orlando 114-112 in its previous game on Wednesday. The Spurs shot 46 percent from the floor, won the rebounding battle (+4 margin), but the Magic battled back from a 15-point deficit by scoring 64 points in the paint. The Spurs also committed 19 turnovers, which led to 23 points.
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F Victor Wembanyama leads San Antonio in scoring at 26.2 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting. He's currently sidelined with a calf injury. A few Spurs to watch on Friday against the Cavs are G De'Aaron Fox (25.0 PPG and 6.3 APG), G Devin Vassell (15.7 PPG and 3.8 RPG), and G Dylan Harper (13.6 PPG and 3.5 APG).
San Antonio averages 119.2 points per game (8th) and shoots 48.7 percent from the field (7th), including 36.2 percent from three (15th). The Spurs allow 113.9 points per game (4th) on 46.1 percent shooting (8th), including 38.6 percent from beyond the arc (28th). They are 7th in NET rating, including 7th in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating, per Dunks and Threes.
San Antonio Spurs Basketball Injury Report:
- F Victor Wembanyama remains out for San Antonio.
- G Stephon Castle (17.3 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 5.8 RPG) is also out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers with a hip injury.
Cavs have struggled against the spread this season
Cleveland (13-10 SU, 7-16 ATS, and 10-13 O/U) lost 122-110 to Portland on Wednesday. The Cavs shot 40 percent overall and were off the mark from beyond the arc (13-for-52). Portland also had a 54-45 rebounding edge and attempted 39 free throws, knocking down 34.
The Cavs are paced by guard Donovan Mitchell, who has scored 30-plus points in eight of his last 11 games. He's averaging 30.7 points on 50.6 percent shooting this season. Cleveland averages 119.6 points per game (6th) with a 46.0 FG percentage (21st) and a 34.8 percent mark (22nd) from three-point range. Defensively, the Cavaliers allow 115.8 points per game (14th) on 46.5 percent shooting (12th), including 36.5 percent from deep (18th).
Cleveland dominated the regular season in 2024-25, winning 64 games, two shy of the franchise record. They scored the eighth-most points in NBA history (9,999) and boasted the league's Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley. While unstoppable at times during the regular season, the Cavaliers were battle-weary in the playoffs, losing 4-1 in the conference semifinals. The team didn't tinker much with its roster in the offseason, but traded Isaac Okoro to Chicago for PG Lonzo Ball and signed Larry Nance Jr. for veteran frontcourt depth.
Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Injury Report:
- C Jarrett Allen (14.3 PPG and 7.6 RPG) remains out with a finger injury.
- G Sam Merrill (13.9 PPG) will also miss Friday's game against the Spurs with a hand sprain.
Spurs vs. Cavaliers Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Spurs vs. Cavs
- San Antonio +5 (4 Units)
Betting Trends: The Spurs are 5-2 as betting underdogs this season, including 4-2 ATS as road 'dogs. Cleveland is 6-14 ATS as favorites, including 3-9 ATS as home favorites.
I lean toward the Spurs' side in this matchup. Cleveland hasn't been a profitable team to bet against the spread this season, and hasn't typically bounced back after losses (3-6 ATS). It will also be without a key rim protector in Allen and its top three-point threat in Merrill (44.4%). That concerns me against a Spurs team ranked sixth in rim shooting percentage. The visitors' below-average three-point defense will be tested less frequently without Merrill on the court, as well. San Antonio will get to the foul line often (10th in FT rate) and limit the Cavs' second-chance scoring opportunities (3rd in opponent offensive rebounding rate) to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Spurs vs. Cavaliers
- Under 239 (5 Units)
Betting Trends: The under is 9-3 when the Cavs are home favorites and 4-2 when the Spurs are road underdogs this season. The under is also 4-0 in Cleveland's games against the West and 4-2 in San Antonio's games against the East.
Cleveland will try to push the tempo, but I feel confident San Antonio can slow down the home team and limit the possessions. The Cavs average the sixth-fastest offensive possession length, but the Spurs rank 25th in average defensive possession length this season. On the other end of the court, San Antonio takes its time (17th in average offensive possession length), and Cleveland does its best to grind down the opposition (23rd in average defensive possession length). With a couple of key contributors sidelined for both squads, which rarely play each other, the under is an appealing bet at 239 total points.
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