Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/6/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Monday, Dec 05, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
Where to watch: TNT

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Check back later
FanDuel: Check back later
BetMGM: Check back later
Caesars: Check back later

Season record
Lakers: 10-12
Cavs: 15-9

Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. 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!

Lakers - Cavs preview, prediction and analysis


Recent form
Lakers: won 3 straight; won 130-119 at Wizards on Sunday
Cavs: lost 92-81 at Knicks on Sunday

Lakers analysis

Well, this is what LeBron James wanted. He wanted to come to the Los Angeles Lakers and eventually give the keys to the car to Anthony Davis. I think we’ve finally gotten to that point. Davis had one of the best games of his NBA career on Sunday afternoon with 55 points and 17 rebounds in the Lakers’ win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

It was the kind of game that you thought you’d never see in the LeBron era. No. 6 absolutely got his with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists. On any given night, that’s going to be the line that wins games for the Lakers. But when Davis is going double-nickel and grabbing 17 rebounds while dunking on Kristaps Porzingis and others, what more can you do? Oh, and Davis also shot 22 of 30 from the floor.

“Coming off a huge win in Milwaukee, can’t get complacent, get comfortable,” Davis said.

Apparently, that’s the mindset that’s been waiting for the Lakers. It’s taken a hot minute, but the Lakers are rounding into form. Since coming back from injury, James has averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists per game while shooting 48% from the floor and 47% from 3-point range.

The best part? Davis has been better.

In the last four games, Davis is averaging 38 points, 13 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. Most of that has ballooned because of going for 44 against the Bucks and then 55 two nights later, but that’s the kind of production you want.

“Our team is locked in right now," Davis said. “Very focused on both sides of the ball. Overall, we’re just trying to make up ground.”

Cavaliers analysis

The good vibes have dwindled a little bit for the Cleveland Cavaliers since their hot start, but they’re still finding ways to play well. Outside of playing Saturday against the New York Knicks in which they scored 81 points and lost.

Donovan Mitchell had 23 points but took 22 shots to get there, and Darius Garland had 17 points but took 19 shots to get there. The star guards combined to shoot 5 of 20 from 3-point range, so that tells you all you need to know.

“We just didn’t make shots. It’s just one of those nights,” Mitchell said. “We just didn’t play well tonight. It can’t always be sunshine and rainbows. This isn’t who we are. We know we can play better and we will.”

They absolutely need to. Because, sure, the Cavs are 7-3 in their last 10 after losing five in a row. Defensively, they’ve been great, holding opponents to below 100 points and 43% shooting from the field. It’s just weird to see a team like that only score 81 points against the Knicks, who can’t stop nosebleeds at the moment.

But if the Cavs are going to have any chance in this game, they need Jarrett Allen back. Evan Mobley is great and a star in the making, but he’s still too young to try and stop Davis from dominating down low. Cleveland needs its All-Star center in the fold to try and contain him.

Prediction

That, of course, doesn’t sound likely and I can’t imagine a world where the Lakers don’t dominate in the post unless Mobley becomes a beast down low. I suppose we’ll find out. Right now, take the hot hand. Lakers by 8

Betting trends


Check back later for trends.

Projected starting lineup


Lakers:
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

Cavs:
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Lamar Stevens
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Kevin Love

Injury report


Lakers: None

Cavs: Jarrett Allen (back, out), Dean Wade (shoulder, out), Ricky Rubio (knee, out)

Statistical leaders


Lakers:
Points: Anthony Davis – 28.6
Rebounds: Anthony Davis – 12.8
Assists: Russell Westbrook – 7.7

Cavs:
Points: Donovan Mitchell – 28.4
Rebounds: Jarrett Allen – 10.8
Assists: Darius Garland – 7.7

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Los Angeles Lakers - Cleveland Cavaliers 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.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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