Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers 01/25/2021 NBA Odds, Preview and Prediction

The defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers look to keep their road record perfect this season. Los Angeles is 9-0 to start the year on the road, the best start in franchise history. The Lakers head to this game after defeating the Chicago Bulls and are aiming to pick up their third straight win.

Meanwhile, the Cavs have won three out of their last four games but are coming off a 38 point blowout loss to the Celtics. After playing in Boston on Sunday, the Cavs travel home to host the Lakers in their second game in two nights.

This is the first meeting between these teams this season and the Lakers defeated the Cavs 128-99 in their last meeting on January 13, 2020.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have opened their title-retention bid on a high note. The Lakers are 13-4 to start the year and are currently tied with their cross-town rival Clippers for the best record in the league. Los Angeles heads to this game with back to back wins and they are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played.

In their last game, the Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls 101-90 for their ninth consecutive road win to start the year. Antony Davis had a monster game as he scored a season-high 37 points. LeBron James added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the defending champions. Los Angeles shot just 4-19 from deep against the Bulls after hitting 19 of 37 threes against the Bucks.

The Lakers are the 8th best scoring team in the NBA at 114.3 points per game. They also own the league’s second-best scoring defense at 104.3 points per game allowed. Los Angeles is ranked 4th off the glass with 47.6 boards grabbed per contest and are 12th in passing at 25.2 assists per game this season

What are the Moneyline Odds?

Lakers

-550

Cavaliers

+430

Odds from BetOnline as of 01/25/2021

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a decent 8-8 to start the current season. Cleveland is currently in third place in the Central Division team standings and tied for 6th place in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs lost to the Boston Celtics 141-103 on Sunday and will be playing the second of a back to back schedule here.

Cleveland claimed two wins against the Brooklyn Nets last week with Colin Sexton putting up 42 and 25 points in those two games. However, Sexton was limited to 13 points against the Celtics. He will have to step up once again if the Cavs want to give the Lakers a good fight. Andre Drummond played just 18 minutes against Boston, finishing with 11 points and only five rebounds.

The Cavs rank 29th in the NBA in scoring at only 104.3 points per game scored this season. They, however, have the 4th best scoring defense in the league at 106 points per game allowed. Cleveland is also 15th in rebounding at 44.7 boards grabbed per contest and they are tied for 18th in passing at 24.2 dimes per outing.

Who Wins?

The Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last eight games played. Los Angeles is 9-0 SU in nine road games played this season, and 5-1 SU in their last six games against the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are 3-1 SU in their last four games played. Cleveland is 3-2 SU in their last five games played at home, 3-11 SU in their last 14 games played against the Western Conference, and 0-9 SU in their last nine games against the Pacific Division. Head to head, the Cavs are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played against the Lakers.

LeBron James is averaging 24.1 points per game in their last 10 games and is shooting 48.9% from the floor and 39% from deep. He is well-rested after playing just 29 minutes in their last win. Anthony Davis is coming off his best game of the young season. The Lakers look like they are ready to defend their title.

The Cavs picked up a pair of impressive wins over the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets though don’t play defense at all while the Lakers are the no. 2 defensive team in the NBA. Collin Sexton was held to 13 points in their loss to the Celtics and he should be looking to bounce back against another elite team.

These are two of the best defensive teams in the league this season but the Lakers have a huge edge in offense, especially with Kevin Love still out of action for the Cavs. Darius Garland has a shoulder injury and Sexton can’t beat the Lakers on his own. Los Angeles has yet to drop a road game this season. I don’t expect them to drop one on Monday.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Other Bets To Make

Los Angeles is 6-1 ATS in their last seven games played. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games played on the road. The Cavs are 8-7 ATS in 15 games played this season. Cleveland is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games played at home, 3-12 ATS in their last 15 Monday games. Head to head, the Lakers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Cavs.

What are the Spread Odds?

Lakers

-10 (-115)

Cavaliers

+10 (-105)

Odds from BetOnline as of 01/25/2021

The Lakers are in the Top 10 in both scoring and scoring defense. Their plus/minus of +10 is the largest in the league this season. Five out of their last six wins have been by double digits and Los Angeles has been outscoring opponents by 12+ points on the road this season. The Cavs are still without Kevin Love and they will need their defense to win this game. Unfortunately, the Lakers simply have too many weapons for them. Los Angeles picks up another blowout win on the road.

Prediction: Lakers -10

The total has gone under in 11 out of the last 15 games played by the Lakers. The under is 8-4 in Los Angeles’ last 12 games against the Central Division. The total has gone over in four out of the last five games played by the Cavs. The over is 3-2 in Cleveland’s last five games played at home this season. Head to head, the total has gone over in 11 out of the last 13 games between these two teams. The over is also 5-1 in their last six games played in Cleveland.

Although history says that this game should go over, the Lakers and Cavs are among the league’s top defensive teams this season. Los Angeles is 2nd in scoring defense while Cleveland is ranked 4th. These teams have a combined 110.9 points per game allowed this campaign. The Lakers have not conceded more than 106 points in their last five wins while the Cavs have scored 106 or fewer points in eight out of their last 10 games played and are 29th in the league in scoring. Sure, we saw Cleveland put up an average of 132 points in their last two wins but those games were against the defenseless Nets.

Prediction: Under 215.5

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