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Cleveland Cavaliers Game Tonight: Cavs vs Mavericks Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV channel for Dec 14

By Josh Cornelissen

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks posts up on Lamar Stevens #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 30, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Mavericks defeated the Cavaliers 120-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks posts up on Lamar Stevens #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 30, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Mavericks defeated the Cavaliers 120-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are a blistering 12-2 at home, the best such record in the Eastern Conference, but a disappointing 5-9 on the road. That disparity reared its head yet again on Monday night when the Cavs lost to the tanking San Antonio Spurs. Now they complete their two-game Texas road trip in Dallas, hoping to right their traveling woes against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

The Mavs have a similar type of split in their games, going 11-4 at home but 3-9 on the road; luckily for Dallas they host tonight (although they travel to Cleveland for the rematch on Saturday). The Mavericks righted the ship on Monday against the Thunder after a demolition in Chicago over the weekend. Luka Doncic is leading the league in scoring at 33.1 points per game.

Betting odds, spread, over/under

The Cavs have been a better team than the Mavericks this season, but their stumbles on the road have Dallas as the favored team tonight. WynnBet has set the odds to favor the Mavs by 2.0, and the over/under point total is set to 214.5.

Cavs injury report

Dean Wade (out, shoulder); (Ricky Rubio (out indefinitely, knee); Dylan Windler (out indefinitely, ankle)

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup tonight

Cavs: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Mavericks: Spencer Dinwiddie, Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell

Prediction

The Dallas Mavericks have the most heliocentric offensive attack in the league, placing the ball in the hands of Luka Doncic and letting him orchestrate everything. He has led the league in usage rate the last two seasons and is setting a new career-high in usage this season (although amazingly Giannis Antetokounmpo is ahead of him). Stopping the Mavs means finding a way to stop Doncic.

That path includes a strong, physical defender who won’t fall for pump fakes and head nods and shoulder shimmies; Doncic isn’t fast and is not an elite shooter, but he is a master of finding space and gaining leverage on an opponent. Then the back line needs to bring help at the rim without leaving shooters wide open in the corners. The Cavs have the personnel to slow him down, but their execution will need to be precise.

On offense, the Cavs could really use a big game from Darius Garland. He is shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 46.9 percent from 3-point range and has an average Game Score of 20.3 at home. When on the road, those numbers drop to 33.9 percent from the field, 28.4 from deep and a 10.8 Game Score. Woof.

This is a game where Jarrett Allen could get going, with Dwight Powell an energy big without elite rim protection chops. JaVale McGee was brought in to be that player but is now on the fringes of the rotation. There is a path to victory where Donovan Mitchell has his usual 28, Allen goes 8-for-10 for 18 points, and the Cavs win a close, defensive battle.

More likely, however, is that the league’s leading scorer is brilliant once again, the Cavs continue to wobble on the road, and the Mavs come out on top.

Prediction: Dallas 106, Cleveland 102

MAVERICKS (-2), UNDER

What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game on?

The Cavs and Mavs will face off on local television for this matchup. Cleveland-area fans can tune in on Bally Sports Ohio, and those in Dallas-Fort Worth have Bally Sports Southwest. The rest of the country can watch on NBA League Pass. Tip-off is 9:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm local time.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks live stream

If you need a live stream, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Cleveland Cavaliers next games and schedule

Fri, Dec 16 – Cavs vs Pacers

Sat, Dec 17 – Cavs vs Mavericks

Mon, Dec 19 – Cavs vs Jazz

Next. Cavs News: Lamar Stevens in depth, trade eligible Cavs, Garland's hand. dark

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change