LeBron James returns to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers on Monday night, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on Fox Sports Ohio (CLE) and Spectrum SportsNet (LA).
The Lakers are a perfect 9-0 on the road this season, the best record in the NBA, and are heavily favored to beat the Cavaliers, who just suffered an awful 38-point loss on Sunday night against the Celtics. Can the Lakers cover a double-digit total in LeBron’s old stomping ground? Let’s take a closer look at the betting lines.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Lakers -11.5
- Money line: Lakers -700 / Cavs +500
- Over-under: 213.5
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Advice and prediction
The Cavaliers’ atrocious performance against the Celtics certainly didn’t help Lakers bettors, as the line for this game opened at Lakers -10 and has already moved a point and a half. The Lakers aren’t losing this game, but I’m a little wary of such a large spread.
In Los Angeles’ last game in Chicago, they crushed the Bulls in the first half, only to cruise and be outscored by the Bulls by 19 in the second half and barely cover. The Cavs have also been much better than that Boston game would indicate – this is a squad that has been ravaged by injuries that is still somehow at .500.
I’m staying away from the spread entirely here, and instead looking at Over 213.5. The Under has been the most successful bet on both the Lakers and Cavs this season, but this is a new-look Cavs roster since the arrival of Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince, so their string of 10-straight Under wins prior to the trade doesn’t carry much weight. The Cavs can get to 100, and the Lakers will do the rest of the work. Take the Over 213.5.
Prediction: Lakers 117, Cavs 103
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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