Cleveland Cavaliers-Los Angeles Lakers: Odds, lineups, injuries, prediction and TV info for Dec. 6

On Sunday, Cleveland Cavaliers fans had to be feeling good about the chances for the Wine and Gold with the team set to play the New York Knicks next. The Knicks were a club that had lost five games in a row, and Cleveland was fresh off two convincing wins in a row.

The Cavaliers beat a Philadelphia 76ers without James Harden and Tyrese Maxey on Wednesday, sure, and Cleveland dispatched the rebuilding Orlando Magic on Friday, with both games at home. But, strolling into Madison Square Garden, the Cavs seemed to be ready to roll.

That didn’t happen, though. Cleveland only mustered 81 points, a season-low, and the Cavaliers shot 34.9 percent from the field. It wasn’t an enjoyable game to watch.

Next up for the Cavs, they’ll hope to get back on the winning side of things against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, a club that has gotten back on track. In the first two games of their current six-game Eastern road trip, L.A. won overtime at the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, and at the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

With LeBron back in Cleveland and his Lakers team heating up, and Mitchell and company dominant at home so far this year, this should be a fun one. So how will the Cavs fare here after Sunday’s disappointing L at MSG?

Cavaliers-Lakers: Odds, spread and over/under

According to PointsBet, the Cavaliers are favored here by 4 points over the Lakers. The moneyline is -170 for Cleveland and +140 for L.A. The over/under total for both is set for 225.5.

Cavaliers-Lakers: Injury report

Cavs injuries: Jarrett Allen (out, back); Dean Wade (out, shoulder); Ricky Rubio (out indefinitely, knee); Dylan Windler (out indefinitely, ankle); Isaiah Mobley (out, G-League Two-Way).

Lakers injuries: LeBron James (probable, ankle); Anthony Davis (probable, back); Wenyen Gabriel (questionable, shoulder); Max Christie (out, G-League – On Assignment); Scottie Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider (out, G-League Two-Way).

Cavaliers-Lakers: Projected starters

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Lamar Stevens, Mamadi Diakite/Evan Mobley, Evan Mobley/Jarrett Allen

Lakers starters: Patrick Beverley, Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker IV, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

Cavaliers-Lakers: Prediction

This is a game where LeBron is probable coming in with ankle soreness, given that tweaked that ankle again recently, but to clarify, he’s reportedly going to be playing. It’s another game where he’s back playing in Cleveland, so it’s always going to be a game with added juice for him.

It’s unclear as to whether Allen will be in for the Cavs as he’s been dealing with a lower back contusion, and is questionable. Assuming Davis plays for the Lakers, Cleveland will have to send help to AD throughout this one if Allen is out, and realistically, in stretches Allen’s off is he is back.

Davis has been on a tear, with 44 and then 55 points in L.A.’s last two wins at the Milwaukee Bucks and then Washington Wizards. Regardless of if Allen is in, Davis is going to be a handful, much like James.

This is another game where the Cavaliers do miss the services of Dean Wade (AC joint sprain), but with him out, one should expect to see Cleveland have Stevens on James for stretches, and perhaps there’s some of Mobley on him. The Cavs could look to mix in some zone as well, too, to neutralize some pick-and-roll play with James or Davis as rollers.

In terms of the benches, the Cavs will have to account for Russell Westbrook, who has been playing well since his move to the bench; Austin Reaves is a player to watch also for L.A. there. On the Cavs’ side, the Wine and Gold could definitely use some knockdown shooting from Kevin Love, and some energy minutes from Cedi Osman would be meaningful, too.

So, for the game itself, I’m going to say it’s really close, though the Cavs do pull it out. Cleveland wins from converting at the line, but L.A. covers here in the first night of a back-to-back for them.

I’ll go with the over, despite that being a high total, as an aside, as the Cavs rebound as shooters.

Prediction: Cavs 115, Lakers 112

The Bet: Lakers (+4), OVER

Cavaliers-Lakers: How to watch/stream

With LeBron playing the Cavs as a visitor, this one will draw a national audience as a TNT game. For alternative viewing for those within the said market, Spectrum SportsNet will have the broadcast.

For a streaming option, check out FuboTV via free trial here!

Cavs upcoming schedule:

The Cavaliers will face the Sacramento Kings on Friday and Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday to close out a three-game home slate this week. After that, the Wine and Gold will take on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday on the road.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.