Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Prediction, & Pick
Lakers vs. Cavaliers Odds
| Jazz Odds | +4 |
| Lakers Odds | -4 |
| Over/Under | 225 |
| Date | Sat, Nov. 25 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | BSOH |
On Saturday night, LeBron James will make his annual trip back to Ohio to face his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers enter play as 4-point underdogs on the spread after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The total for tonight’s contest is set at over/under 225 points.
Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!
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Los Angeles Lakers
What to expect from LeBron James
According to StatMuse, LeBron James has averaged 29.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 20 career games against the Cavaliers. James has totaled three triple-doubles and six double-doubles against his former team. Notably, he has scored at least 38 points four times against Cleveland – all four times coming on the road. There is evidence to suggest that these games carry slightly more meaning for James than other contests. It would not be surprising to see him put on a show this evening at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Lakers struggling on the glass
Entering play on Saturday, the Lakers rank 16th in rebound percentage and 20th in opponent rebounds per game during November. James and Davis are the only two players on the team averaging more than 6.1 rebounds per game to begin the year for Los Angeles. Facing a Cleveland team that ranks 8th in the NBA in rebound percentage since November 13, Los Angeles could struggle to control the glass in this matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell listed as QUESTIONABLE
Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers after missing each of Cleveland’s last four contests with a hamstring injury. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Mitchell returned to practice yesterday, giving him a decent chance of suiting up this evening. Asked whether or not Mitchell will play tonight, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “We’ll see.”
Impact of Donovan Mitchell
If Mitchell is able to take the floor on Saturday, it will be only the sixth time this season that Cleveland will have their optimal starting five on the floor together – Mitchell, Darius Garland, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Cavaliers rank in the 76th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 72nd percentile in defensive efficiency this year with Mitchell on the court, compared to the 10th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 34th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. His return would be a welcome sight for Cavaliers fans.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Cavaliers -4 (-110)
LeBron James has posted strong individual numbers in his career against the Cavaliers, but Cleveland is clearly the better team in this matchup if Donovan Mitchell is able to play. Despite attempted off-season upgrades to the periphery of the roster, the Lakers rank 24th out of 30 teams in bench points per game. On the road this year, the Lakers bench is contributing only 16.4 points per game on 44.0% shooting from the field and 29.3% shooting from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers are well positioned to exploit the Lakers’ lack of depth, making them deserving favorites on the spread.