The Los Angeles Lakers won three straight to open the season before dropping Monday’s matchup with the Suns. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a perfect 4-0 and rank Top 5 in offense and defense.
LeBron James will look to get his team back in the win column as he faces his former team for a poetic 23rd time. Cleveland is one of the best defensive teams in the league, but my Lakers vs. Cavaliers predictions expect a high-scoring affair at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight.
Read my NBA picks to see why you should take the Over on Wednesday, October 30.
Lakers vs Cavaliers prediction
My best bet
Over 225 (-110 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in two matchups last season, and LA covered in both. This is a new year, and Cleveland has been rolling, but it’s tough to pick the winner tonight. It’s even more difficult to bet the spread given how well both teams have played. Instead, I’m focusing on the point total.
Both teams have hit the Over twice and the Under twice this season, and the teams split the Over/Under a season ago in the head-to-head matchup. For tonight, the offensive numbers point to a potentially high-scoring affair in Cleveland.
The Cavs have been great on defense for years, and that defensive excellence is a hallmark in 2024-25 as well. Cleveland allows the fourth-fewest points per game, but the Cavs have kicked it up a few notches at the other end of the court, getting quality production from their starters, and the bench has stepped up in a big way.
Cleveland ranks third in points per game at 123.5, and the Cavs are second in offensive efficiency. The Lakers have been great on offense as well, ranking sixth in points per game (117.3) and fifth in offensive efficiency. LA is middle-of-the-pack defensively, offering the Cavs a chance to keep the points flowing in front of the home crowd. The point total is set too low, and I’m all too happy to take the Over.
Lakers vs Cavaliers same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 225
Austin Reaves Over 26.5 pts+reb+ast
LeBron James Over 7.5 assists
Austin Reaves has started the 2024-25 season with a string of quality performances, averaging a healthy 19.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across four outings. He’s averaging 31.6 PRA after posting 25.7 a season ago.
Reaves failed to hit the Over on this line in the opener, but he’s converted in three straight heading into tonight's tilt in Cleveland.
Reaves hit the Over on this one in his lone matchup at Cleveland a season ago, and I’m betting on him doing it again tonight. Cleveland will surely zero in on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the team’s size (particularly in the frontcourt) may limit the red-hot AD. The Lakers’ third option, Reaves, will need to step up, and his PRA line is far too low.
James has "struggled" on offense this season, but that’s only a comparative measure based on his lofty standards. He’s averaging 20 points to go with 7.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
Rather than betting on his scoring here, we’ll take his assists prop. James’ line is set at 8.5 across our featured sportsbooks, but we can get it down to 7.5 to include it as the last leg of our parlay. James has dished at least eight assists in each of his last three games, and he’s done so in 11 of 22 games against the Cavaliers in his career.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Lakers vs Cavaliers odds
Lakers vs Cavaliers live odds
Get the latest Lakers vs Cavaliers NBA odds.
Lakers vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +5 (-110) | Cleveland -5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +170 | Cleveland -205
- Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Lakers vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles lost its first game of the season Monday and fell to 3-1 straight up, but the Lakers are 4-0 ATS.
- Cleveland is one of four undefeated teams in the Association, covering the spread in all four victories.
- The Cavaliers have hit the Over in two of four games to open the 2024-25 campaign.
- The Lakers average the sixth-most points in the NBA (117.3) and are 2-2 to the Under this season.
Lakers vs Cavaliers trend
The Lakers swept the 2023-24 regular-season series against the Cavaliers and covered in both matchups. Los Angeles is 7-3 straight up and 6-4 ATS over the last 10 head-to-head meetings with Cleveland, and the Under has hit six times. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Cavaliers.
Lakers vs Cavaliers game info
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Wednesday, 10-30-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FanDuel Sports Network - Ohio, Spectrum SportsNet |
Lakers vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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