Cleveland Cavaliers-Utah Jazz: Odds, injuries, lineups, prediction, and TV info for Dec. 19

It was hardly an anesthetically pleasing contest on Saturday night, but the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get by the Dallas Mavericks in a 100-99 win in overtime. Dallas was without Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie, so that was hardly one to write home about, and Cleveland got shredded by Kemba Walker, who made just his third appearance this season and first start for Dallas.

The Wine and Gold’s fourth quarter efforts in their latest back-to-back versus Dallas and the Indiana Pacers on Friday were the primary reasons for those being Ws, though, and they’ll look to keep up their home winning ways.

Next up for the Cavaliers is a matchup versus the Utah Jazz on Monday, the former longtime squad for Donovan Mitchell, and a team with a number of key former Cavs, such as Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. Utah started the season off scorching hot, like the Cavaliers, and has since been up-and-down, and has been 3-3 in their last six contests.

The Jazz last lost to arguably the league’s best team, the Milwaukee Bucks, on Saturday by a score of 123-97, without Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton.

Despite that, this Utah team is one that can be really dangerous if they get going, and it could be a difficult matchup if the Cavs don’t come out playing with urgency. So with that being said, let’s examine the odds, injuries and lineup situation for Monday, after which we’ll get into the prediction for the outing.

Cavs-Jazz: Odds, spread and over/under

According to PointsBet, the Cavaliers are favored over the Jazz on Monday by 6 points. The moneyline is -245 for Cleveland and +200 for Utah, and the over/under is currently set for 222.

Cavaliers-Jazz: Injury report

Cavs injuries: Dean Wade (out, shoulder); Ricky Rubio (out, knee); Dylan Windler (out, ankle); Lamar Stevens (out, knee); Isaiah Mobley and Mamadi Diakite (out, G-League Two-Way).

Jazz injuries: Collin Sexton (out, hamstring); Johnny Juzang (out, G-League Two-Way); Kelly Olynyk (questionable, ankle).

Cavaliers-Jazz: Starting lineups

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Jazz starters: Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen/Malik Beasley, Kelly Olynyk/Lauri Markkanen, Jarred Vanderbilt

Cavaliers-Jazz: Prediction

This is a game where Utah is going to want to play uptempo, get up their threes, and perhaps the Cavs to play more of their style of game, as seemingly other faster-paced, offensive teams have. One should look out for the Jazz to be pulling from range in transition, too, and Markkanen, Beasley and others could be doing so, for instance.

Granted, the Cavaliers have to take advantage of their own opportunities in transition, given how Cleveland has had their share of offensive lulls of late, and have been prone to some slow starts.

That said, if Cleveland can get contributions from players such as Caris LeVert and/or Cedi Osman again in bench minutes, and Jarrett Allen can rebound from a quiet past two games and be a force on the interior, the Cavaliers could grind this one out.

J.B. Bickerstaff should be looking to expand the bench a bit here, though, which is something that he’s appeared hesitant to do, and against this Jazz team coming in, and in general, that could enable the Cavs’ key threats to be fresher later. We’ll have to see there.

Lastly, it is a bit deflating that in his first potential game back playing the Cavaliers in Cleveland, Sexton won’t be in action, as he’s out with a hamstring strain. But it’s been good to see him give the Jazz quality play when he’s been in there for them, and he should always be appreciated for what he gave the Cavs over the course of his time with Cleveland, and I’ll always be rooting for him personally.

For the game, anyhow, despite the Cavaliers’ slow starts of late, one would be wise to lean them here, and go with them to cover. This is the first game of a back-to-back for Utah as well; they’ll be taking on the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Prediction: Cavs 115, Jazz 108

The Bet: Cavs (-6), OVER

Cavaliers-Jazz: Where to watch/streaming option

This Cavs-Jazz matchup will be available for fans in-market and with the said options on Bally Sports Ohio, AT & T SportsNet Rocky Mountain and Root Sports Northwest. For fans without those options in-market and/or out of market, NBA League Pass will have this one.

For a live streaming option for this contest, check out this link for a free trial of FuboTV!

Cavs upcoming schedule:

Following this Jazz game, the Cavs will continue on in their current homestand, with them set to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the Toronto Raptors on Friday and then the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Dec. 26.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.