The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a tough go of it lately, just 3-8 in their last 11 games. Granted that came after an 8-3 stretch in the 11 games directly preceding it; small sample sizes can run amok on team expectations.
The main disorienting factor for the Cavs have been injures; Caris LeVert has barely played since being acquired at the NBA Trade Deadline, Darius Garland has missed multiple games due to a lingering back injury, and Saturday against the Chicago Bulls Lauri Markkanen sat out nursing an ankle injury. Oh, and Jarrett Allen is out indefinitely with a fractured finger.
The Cavs play the LA Clippers Monday night. What do you need to know about all of the injury absences and how to bet the game?
Luckily for Cleveland, they get to play a team even more injured than they are. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George remain out for the LA Clippers, as do Robert Covington, Norman Powell and Jason Preston. After narrowly clawing their way to victory against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, expect the Clippers to sit even more of their veteran core for the back-to-back on Monday in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Clippers: Odds, spread, over/under
The Cavaliers (38-29) will host the Clippers (36-34) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, Cleveland is favored by 7.0 points against a shorthanded Clippers team. The over/under point total is 212.
The Clippers will be sitting multiple players on top of their injury-ridden roster, an effect of playing a close game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. The Cavs played a tough back-to-back on Friday and Saturday but had Sunday off to come home and recuperate.
Cavs vs Clippers: Projected starting lineups, injury report
Clippers starters: Terance Mann, Amir Coffey, Luke Kennard, Nic Batum, Ivica Zubac
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley
The Clippers’ key injuries: Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr. (out, rest); Paul George (out, elbow); Kawhi Leonard (out, knee); Robert Covington (out, personal); Jason Preston (out, foot); Jay Scrubb (out, toe); Norman Powell (out)
The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Caris LeVert (out, foot); Rajon Rondo (out, ankle); Lauri Markkanen (questionable, ankle); Dean Wade (questionable, knee)
Cavs vs Clippers: Prediction
A full-strength battle between these two teams would present a number of interesting matchups, but alas that version of this game is many times removed from the players who will suit up tonight. The Cavs will be down multiple starters and other key rotation pieces, while the Clippers will be down four starters — including both of its stars — and a number of other rotation players.
Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will be the two “best” players on the floor, and even without All-Defense candidate Jarrett Allen the Cavs should gum up LA’s offense with a smothering collection of limbs. On the other end of the court Garland should be able to get free frequently, especially in the lane against a dropping Zubac for his patented floater.
The Clippers do shoot a lot of 3-pointers, and accurately, which injects variance into any matchup. It would not be a surprise for the Clippers to win. Yet this finally looks like the kind of get-right game the Cavs needed. If Markkanen and Dean Wade play this one could turn into a blowout; even with just one it should be enough to cover in the end.
Prediction: Cleveland 102, LA 92
The Bet: Cleveland (-7.0), UNDER
Cavs vs Clippers: Where to Watch
The Cavaliers and Clippers will play in the earliest slot at 7:00pm ET, which will feel like 4pm to the West Coast Clippers. The game will be available on Bally Sports affiliates — Ohio for local Cavs fans, and San Diego or SoCal for loyal Clips fans tuning in for a matinee on the coast. NBA League Pass will run the game for everyone else.
Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a week-long homestand ahead of them. After hosting the Clippers the Cavs will face the Philadelphia 76ers again on Wednesday, hoping to pick up their first win this season against the new-look squad.
Things are less daunting but not particularly easy from there. The reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, and the Denver Nuggets come in on Friday, followed by Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Finally, next Monday the homestand wraps up with a visit from the NBA’s leading scorer LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.