The Los Angeles Lakers (30-41) visit to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Monday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-30). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers at Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Having been without star F Anthony Davis for the last several weeks, the Lakers have slipped to No. 10 in the Western Conference and are 2.5 games away from dipping to No. 11 and potentially missing the postseason altogether.
The Lakers are coming off an 8-point loss to the Wizards and are just 3-7 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10. They’re just 29-41-1 ATS on the season.
The Lakers are led by F LeBron James, who is averaging 29.8 points per game. They’ll be taking on the Cavs, who are led by G Darius Garland, who is averaging 21.3 points and 8.5 assists per game.
The Cavs are 5-4-1 ATS over their last 10 and are 39-29-3 ATS on the season. Cleveland is coming off a 4-point win over the Pistons, failing to cover as 6-point favorites.
Lakers at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Cavaliers -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +6.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Lakers at Cavaliers key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (foot ) out
- F LeBron James (knee) questionable
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (finger) out
[tipico]
Lakers at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 115, Lakers 112
Money line
PASS.
I like the Lakers to keep this game close but am not confident enough to have them winning outright. The Cavaliers have won 3 of their last 4 and are 23-12 at home this season.
The Lakers are 1-4 over their last 5 and just 10-24 on the road.
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Against the spread
LEAN to the LAKERS +6.5 (-115).
The Cavaliers aren’t quite as dominant without Allen in the lineup.
He has had the best season of his career, and the Cavs are 4.4 points per 100 possessions better than their opponent with Allen on the court. They’re just 6-9 straight up without Allen on the court.
The Cavaliers have the 7th-best opponents’ field goal percentage, and the Lakers rank No. 10 in field goal rate. Those figures would typically bode well for Cleveland.
Without Allen, the former should take a hit and allow the James-led Lakers to get easier attempts at the rim. Cleveland also has the 29th-worst turnover rate while struggling to rebound.
Given Allen’s absence and the Lakers’ size with C Dwight Howard, the Lakers should be able to keep this game within 6 points as the Pistons did Saturday.
Over/Under
BET the OVER 224.5 (-108).
If there’s one thing the Lakers have been good at this season, it’s helping the projected total go Over. They are 39-31-1 O/U this season and are 5-2 O/U in their last 7.
Given the absence of Allen, the Cavs defense, which has been among the best in the NBA, may struggle. Even the Cavs have had their Over hit in 4 straight and in 6 of their last 7.
Neither team in the league ranks in the top 15 in defensive rebounding rate while both sit in the bottom 10 in turnover rate. Both of those should be positive for those backing the OVER 224.5 (-108).
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