Game: Los Angeles Lakers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Odds: Lakers +4, Cavaliers -4
Total: 224.5
It’s always a big night in Cleveland when former Cavs’ star LeBron James comes home. James and his Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight looking to continue their recent turnaround. The Lakers started the new season poorly, but they have won eight of their last ten games to bring their record to 10-12.
The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks on Sunday, 92-81, and are thankful to be returning home. The Cavs have struggled on the road with a record of 5-8 away from home this season. Cleveland prefers the confines of home at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse where the team is 10-1 so far this season.
Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell struggled a little on Sunday against the Knicks but still managed a team-best 23 points for Cleveland. Mitchell was playing in his home of New York and now returns to Cleveland looking to get a big win for the Cavs. Cleveland missed too many shots against the Knicks, which is typical of the Cavs on the road.
Cleveland averages 107.7 points per game when playing on the road. They shoot 46 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range. At home, the Cavs are much better. They shoot 49.3 percent from the floor, 39.9 percent from behind the arc, and they score an average of 115.6 points per game.
James, of course, is from Akron, which neighbors Cleveland. He spent a good portion of his NBA career playing in front of his hometown fans as a member of the Cavaliers. More recently, James and Anthony Davis have given the Lakers new life. Davis has really taken his game to another level.
In a 133-129 win over Milwaukee last Friday night, Davis went off for 55 points and he pulled down 17 rebounds. He followed that up two nights later with another monster effort. Davis had 44 points and 10 rebounds in a 130-119 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Los Angeles is 9-1 SU over its last nine games. In those nine games, Davis is averaging 35.3 points per game. They have impressive wins over Brooklyn, Portland, and Milwaukee. The Lakers have been winning on the road as well. L.A. has won four straight road games and they have won the first two of their current six-game road trip.
The Lakers faced the Cavs on Nov. 6 and lost 114-110. James scored 27 points in the loss. The loss marked just the second time in 19 games against the Cavs that James lost. The Lakers own a 7-3 SU record against Cleveland in the last 10 head-to-head meetings. L.A. is also 8-4 ATS in the last 12 games against Cleveland.
Cleveland is 7-3 SU in its last ten games. At home, the Cavs have won their last six in a row. The total has gone Under in each of the Cavs’ last five games. The Over has hit in 13 of the last 18 games against the Lakers.
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