by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Nov 05, 2022
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to watch: SPECSN, Bally Sports Ohio
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later
FanDuel: Check back later
BetMGM: Check back later
Caesars: Check back later
Season record
Cavaliers: 7-1
Lakers: 2-6
What a thrilling start to the NBA season, and it's time to get your picks in for what should be an enticing season. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. Look at our own Jack Banks off to a 3-0-0 start in the NBA this week. Nelly's Sports is also at 4-0-0 while Jim Feist has also cashed on his first two of the year. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Cavaliers - Lakers preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Cavaliers: won 112-88 at Pistons on Friday; won seven straight
Lakers: lost 130-116 vs. Jazz on Friday
These aren’t your older brother’s Cleveland Cavaliers. This team has got something going for them nowadays. All it took was a couple of drafts and going all-in for Donovan Mitchell, and the Cavs now have the best team that’s never had LeBron on it in history. And now the Cavs will be taking their seven-game winning streak into Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon to take on the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.
These aren’t your older brother’s Cleveland Cavaliers. This team has got something going for them nowadays. All it took was a couple of drafts and going all-in for Donovan Mitchell, and the Cavs now have the best team that’s never had LeBron on it in history. And now the Cavs will be taking their seven-game winning streak into Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon to take on the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs are that fun team that has heightened expectations after how last year, and so far so good on that promise. The Cavs won their seventh straight on Friday after winning 112-88 against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit. A dominant effort in 23 minutes off the bench from Kevin Love (21 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) further showed us the renaissance effort from K-Love is alive and well. Jarrett Allen led all starters with 23 points, with Caris LeVert adding 15 points. Of course they dominated without Mitchell (ankle) and Darius Garland (knee), who missed time due to injuries against Boston.
“We obviously have a ton of respect and appreciation for Darius and Donovan, but we've got some really good basketball players that are with them,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Tonight showed we've got a really good, deep basketball team.”
This is a team that might be the most entertaining Cleveland has had in the post-LeBron era, and it’s showing. When you have the likes of the twin towers of Allen and Evan Mobley (eight blocks), with Love coming off the bench – and then the star combo of Garland and Mitchell, when healthy – is one of the more better teams we’ve seen regarding the Cavs in history.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are, well, the Lakers and we’re all just laughing at this ridiculousness at this point. After winning two in a row against the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers ran into the juggernaut that is the Utah Jazz, losing 130-116 at home because the Lakers had no idea how to defend Lauri Markkanen (27 points, 13 rebounds).
But for the home team,Anthony Davis had 22 points, LeBron James had 17, and Lonnie Walker had 19. Russell Westbrook had to come off the bench to score an EFFICIENT 26 points in 29 minutes on 9 of 14 shooting. This team’s defense is horrible and it should be ashamed to play 10 guys and get absolutely nothing.
“We took a huge step backward tonight,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of the defensive performance. “It's the first game where I felt like we really weren't there defensively.”
Someone go save Darvin. He didn’t sign up for this garbage.
Prediction
The status of Garland and Mitchell is up in the air and the idea of them playing might not seem so plausible if they want to rest them for the remainder of this road trip. This is a good opportunity for the Lakers to take advantage on the defensive end. Take the Lakers, especially if they’re getting points here. Lakers by 6
Betting trends
Cavs are 11-18 ATS after playing a division game the last three years.
Cavs are 12-2 ATS in November the last three years.
Cavs are 32-47 ATS on the road over the last three years.
Cavs are 25-11 ATS after two straight wins the last three years.
Lakers are 8-11 ATS against Central Division opponents the last three years.
Lakers are 30-54 ATS after a home game the last three years.
Lakers are 224-238 ATS since 1992 after a loss by 10 points or more
Projected starting lineup
Cavaliers:
PG: Raul Neto
SG: Caris LeVert
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Lakers:
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis
Key injuries
Cavs: Darius Garland (knee), Donovan Mitchell (ankle)
Lakers: Dennis Schroder (thumb)
Statistical leaders
Cavs:
Points: Donovan Mitchell -- 31.1
Rebounds: Jarrett Allen -- 11.4
Assists: Donovan Mitchell -- 7.1
Lakers:
Points: LeBron James -- 24.0
Rebounds: Anthony Davis -- 11.0
Assists: LeBron James -- 7.5
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Cleveland Cavaliers - Los Angeles Lakers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
