This past week’s slate was a fruitful one for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they won three of four contests, and despite a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, they got their way back into it before losing in the closing moments by four.
The Cavaliers had entertaining contests in the other three games, and two of those were overtime victories over the LA Clippers on Monday and a thrilling over against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
It was an encouraging week for the Wine and Gold, who had been up-and-down in recent weeks before last, and it was nice to see how Evan Mobley has responded to playing more at the 5 with Jarrett Allen sidelined. It’s Mobley’s more natural spot, but he’s been settling in.
Next up for the Cavs is a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, and old buddy LeBron James.
The Cavs have the Lakers next up on Monday. So what do you need to know about this one, and how to bet?
The Lakers are a club that’s had a frustrating season, as it’s been a tough fit involving Russell Westbrook, and what’s also played into their inconsistencies has been Anthony Davis being sidelined often.
LeBron himself has seemingly had some selective effort on the defensive end, given his age and being banged up at times as well, but he has still been great for them on the other end, and does still turn it up for stretches on that end of the floor.
Taking everything into account, though, the Lakers haven’t been able to really put it all together, and while guys such as Malik Monk and Austin Reaves have been bright spots, to some degree, whether or not it’s been head coach Frank Vogel’s rotations or injuries, this hasn’t been a cohesive unit nearly enough.
But there’s still talent for them, and LA is currently in a play-in spot at the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and with how things have been in recent weeks, and without Jarrett Allen, this could still very well a four-quarter affair for Cleveland.
Cavaliers-Lakers: Betting info
According to our partners at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored over the Lakers by 6.0 points currently. The over/under total for both clubs is 226.0.
The over/under for the Cavs is set to be 116.5, whereas that for the Lakers is 110.5.
Cavs-Lakers: Projected starters and injury report
Lakers starters: Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, LeBron James/Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker/Wenyen Gabriel, Dwight Howard
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley
Lakers injuries: Anthony Davis (out, foot); Kendrick Nunn (out, knee); Mason Jones (out, G League-on assignment); Wayne Ellington (questionable, illness); LeBron James (questionable, knee); Wenyen Gabriel and Talen Horton-Tucker (probable, ankle).
Cavs injuries: Jarrett Allen (out, finger); Dean Wade (out, knee); Rajon Rondo (out, ankle); Collin Sexton (likely out for season, knee).
Cavaliers-Lakers: Prediction
As of now, James is listed as questionable with knee soreness, however, based on how things generally are with him and with LA’s outlook, I’d definitely expect him to play. Maybe he doesn’t, but I’d be shocked in that case.
As for the game, as the over/under would suggest, I’d expect this to be high scoring, if LeBron plays.
Regardless, with how Darius Garland and Evan Mobley have been playing, I’d expect them to get their share of production here. And on the other end, perhaps we could see Mobley on the perimeter some in zone to help limit penetration from Westbrook or LeBron.
In any case, what this could potentially come down to is the play of guys such as Reaves or Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Love/Cedi Osman for Cleveland.
For either side, some pop from the role guys could make the difference here, and for the Cavs, I do believe they’ll get that in this one at home.
I’d expect potentially another double-double from Love in this one, and we see a few significant Cavaliers runs. Although for most of it, it’s pretty close.
I have the Cavaliers here winning, but not covering, and am going with the over.
Prediction: Cavs 116, Lakers 111
The Bet: Lakers (+6.0), OVER
Cavaliers-Lakers: Where to watch
For fans subscribed and in-market, Bally Sports Ohio and Spectrum SportsNet have this contest.
And for fans not in-market, or without those options, for those subscribed, NBA League Pass will have this one.
Cavs upcoming schedule:
After this Lakers matchup, the Cavs will head north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors, who have been playing great basketball and are right behind Cleveland in the East standings. That will be a playoff-type atmosphere, surely.
Following that, the Cavaliers will once again take on one of their Central Division rivals in the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Chicago got the better of Cleveland earlier this month in Chicago, and the Cavs will look to tie up the season series then at home.
From there, Cleveland will face the Orlando Magic at home on Monday. The Cavs need to make sure they take care of business in that one against one of the East’s teams that’s in the early stages of a rebuild.