Tuesday night’s game versus the Los Angeles Lakers was more of the same script for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that one, they eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter, from their defensive efforts, and brilliance from Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland got Jarrett Allen back from a five-game absence because of a lower back contusion, which was big, too. While the Lakers barely having Anthony Davis in that game (flu-like symptoms) didn’t aid L.A.’s chances, it’s not as if the Cavs haven’t injury issues of their own this season already, either, as an aside.
From Cleveland’s perspective, it was more of the same on Tuesday in that the Cavaliers got the job done on their home floor, where they’ve been among the league’s best this season, and arguably the best, with an 11-1 record. On the road, it’s been a different story, as the Cavs are only 5-8 there, and on Sunday evening, Cleveland was way off shooting-wise at the New York Knicks, a game when they had a season-low 81 points.
Next up for the Cavs, anyways, is a matchup versus the Sacramento Kings, in what’s the first game of a home back-to-back for Cleveland, with Saturday the team set to play the Oklahoma City Thunder.
So, with that in mind, let’s examine this Cavs-Kings rematch, where the Cavaliers are looking to avenge their loss in Sacramento last month against a high-octane Kings team that looks to be much improved. Cleveland enters this game with a 16-9 record, and Sacramento is 13-10. This will be the second game of the Kings’ current six-game Eastern Conference roadie; they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in the first.
Cavaliers-Kings: Odds, spread and over/under
According to DraftKings, the Cavaliers are favored over the Kings here by 5.5 points. The moneyline for Cleveland is -205 and for Sacramento is +175. The over/under total is set for 223.
Cavaliers-Kings: Injury report
Cavs injuries: Dean Wade (out, shoulder); Kevin Love (out, back); Ricky Rubio (out, knee); Dylan Windler (out indefinitely, ankle); Donovan Mitchell (questionable, leg).
Kings injuries: Chima Moneke (G-League – On Assignment); Neemias Queta (G-League – Two-Way); De’Aaron Fox (questionable, foot); Terence Davis (questionable, back).
Cavaliers-Kings: Projected starters
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell/Caris LeVert, Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Kings starters: De’Aaron Fox/Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, Domantas Sabonis
Cavaliers-Kings: Prediction
Both teams have two crucial perimeter scorers and drivers that are questionable in this one, in Mitchell and Fox, respectively, both of whom are difference-makers if they’re right. From Cleveland’s perspective, one could feasibly foresee them potentially having him sidelined, with the Cavs again playing on Saturday. We’ll have to see on the updates involving him, and Fox, though.
Whether or not Mitchell is in action, Cleveland will have to get something productive out of their bench unit, which has underwhelmed of late, and with Love dealing with back soreness, some solid play from LeVert and Cedi Osman would be welcomed here.
Defensively, on the flip side, is where both squads will have to buckle down. The Cavs will have to hold their own against Sabonis, who is arguably Sacramento’s best playmaker, and they’ll run their share of offense through him.
It’s a different dynamic, clearly, if Fox can’t go, or is a bit limited, but either way, Allen holding his own individually without fouling a bunch could go a long way for Cleveland here. The Cavs can’t overhelp against this Sacramento team, which can get hot in a hurry with Huerter, Murray and others being more than capable of catching fire.
So, for the game itself, with this matchup being at home, I’m leaning with the Cavaliers here, as I believe they could receive a spark from their energy guys in Stevens, at least defensively, and LeVert. Two-way forward Mamadi Diakite could aid Cleveland’s efforts on defense and in transition here, also, which is something one should look for.
Granted, with the Mitchell scenario, despite Fox questionable, I’ll go with the Kings to cover, given they’re a dangerous team in the open floor. But I’ll go with the under.
Prediction: Cavs 113, Kings 108
The Bet: Kings (+5.5), UNDER
Cavaliers-Kings: Where to watch/how to stream
This Cavs-Kings matchup will be available on Bally Sports Ohio and NBC Sports California for fans in-market and subscribed. For fans out of market and/or without those options, NBA League Pass will have this one.
For a streaming option, click here to try FuboTV via free trial!
Cavs upcoming schedule
Following this game against Sacramento, the Cavaliers will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night. The ensuing Cleveland games after that are two road contests at the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night and at the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.