Two interconference teams that have surprised for different reasons will meet this Sunday afternoon when the Cleveland Cavaliers head to L.A. to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs have the second-best record in the NBA at 7-1 and have not lost since their opening game of the season. Meanwhile, the Lakers started the season dreadfully bad at 2-6.
However, they have won two of their last three. Will the Lakers continue to get back on track against one of the hottest teams in the league?
Read our NBA picks and predictions for Cavaliers vs. Lakers below to find out.
Cavaliers vs Lakers best odds
Cavaliers vs Lakers picks and predictions
This will be the first game of the season for the Cleveland Cavaliers against a Western Conference opponent and thus, their first trip across the country. This will also be the Lakers' first contest against the East after going 15-15 ATS against such foes a season ago.
The Los Angeles Lakers' offense has been stagnant early this season despite the solid play from LeBron James and having a healthy Anthony Davis. They rank 25th in the NBA in scoring at 108.5 points per game and 28th in field goal percentage. Only Davis and Austin Reaves are shooting above 50% among Lakers players that play 20+ minutes per game.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, allowing only 104.4 points per game (third in the NBA) and rank fifth in field goal percentage allowed. However, they may be without two of their best perimeter defenders in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, who are both questionable with injuries.
Both players missed Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons and yet they still held the Pistons to just 88 points. The Lakers have improved their offense over the last three games, but those three games came against teams with mediocre defenses and fast-paced offenses.
The Cavaliers have excelled at knowing their opponents and have adjusted well from game to game. They know the Lakers have struggled in lower-scoring games and will likely try to muck up the contest to keep it slow-paced. This is especially true if they are to be without Garland and Mitchell again.
The Lakers team total is currently sitting at a number higher than the Lakers' per-game average and the Cavs' defensive per-game average.
Just because the Lakers have found some offense in recent games does not mean that will continue against a high-quality defense. Give me the Under on the Lakers team total with high confidence.
My best bet: Lakers team total Under 109.5 (-115 at DraftKings)
Looking to do some NBA betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $1,000! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $200 in free bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2022.
Cavaliers vs Lakers spread analysis
LeBron will be facing off with his former team and hometown for the 19th time in his career and the first time this season. He excels against them, as he averages 29.6 points per game, which is the most per game against any team he has faced in his career.
Last season, the Lakers won both games by a combined 23 points and LeBron averaged 32 points per game. The second game was played without Davis in the lineup while the Cavs were a playoff contender.
If Garland and Mitchell are both out of this game and Davis and Lebron are both in, that will make a massive difference in this early Sunday home game for the Lakers. Currently, NBA odds have them slated as 4-point underdogs at home and this could be a great opportunity to get points in an inflated spread.
The Cavaliers are 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Los Angeles and 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings overall. The Lakers should be able to use their solid defense to keep this game close throughout and then finish stronger with their superstars against a team that will likely be missing theirs.
Cavaliers vs Lakers Over/Under analysis
The Cavs are most likely going to muck up this game and try to bully the Lakers, forcing one of the worst shooting teams to have to make tough shots to beat them. Even though the Cavs average 116.5 points per game, they only scored 112 against the Pistons without Mitchell and Garland.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five Lakers games following an ATS loss. It's also 4-1 in the last five games for the Lakers following a SU loss. The Under is 4-0 in the last four Lakers games following a double-digit loss at home.
Surprisingly, this is the highest total of the season for a Cavs game. Strange, considering how bad the Lakers' offense has been this season. Considering how much I love the Lakers team total Under, I'm a fan of the full-game Under as well.
Cavaliers vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Lakers have scored less than 109 points in five of their eight games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Lakers.
Cavaliers vs Lakers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, City, State/Province |
| Date: | Sunday, November 6, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports, SportsNet LA |
