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The Cleveland Cavaliers have found their groove after a slow start, winning nine of their past 10 games to shoot back within the top group in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics are off to a terrific start, so Cleveland doesn’t have much margin for error if it plans on overtaking them. The Cavs will aim to stay hot when they host the Los Angeles Lakers this week.
Los Angeles has been more competitive than most people originally thought so far this season, but is still a long way to go from becoming a playoff team. The Lakers will be heavy underdogs in this game, and will need to shoot the lights out in order to keep up.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will be televised live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers are 19-8 overall but just 10-16-1 against the spread as they have been favored in 22 games this season and have not done a good job covering. Cleveland is an ugly 2-11-1 against the spread at home this season.
The Lakers are 10-15 overall and 12-13 against the spread. They have covered in 10 of 22 attempts as the underdog.
Injury Report
Tristan Thompson — The Cavaliers are set to get their big man back this week, expecting him to come in off the bench against the Hawks on Tuesday. Thompson has been out with calf injury since November 1st and his return should be a nice boost, even if just in a limited role for now.
He is generally a starter but figures to be worked back in slowly. If Kevin Love continues to play well as an undersized center, Thompson may continue to come off the bench for the foreseeable future. He is averaging 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on the year in limited action.
Derrick Rose — The Cavaliers guard has only played seven games this season and has a bone spur in his ankle that may need surgery. Rose contemplated retirement earlier this year before deciding to return to the team. He is averaging 14.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game when he has been on the court, but injuries have sidetracked yet another one of his season.
Player To Watch
Jordan Clarkson -- The Lakers will need multiple players to step up if they are able to stick around against Cleveland, and one who has the ability to do so is Clarkson. He is averaging 15.2 points per game off the bench, shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range.
Clarkson put up a team-high 22 points earlier this week in a win over the Hornets and can be a real sparkplug. Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has struggled in the early part of his NBA career, but he is a good passer and has been able to put Clarkson in good spots to succeed.
The Cavaliers are infinitely more talented and have the best player in the NBA in LeBron James, so the Lakers need everyone to play well to hang tough. Clarkson is a big part of that. If he can get hot, Cleveland will have to work harder than it wants for this win.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Lakers are just 4-8 on the road this season and are facing off with a team that is putting it together. James is having another terrific season and the Cavs are finding a way to jell after the offseason trade of star point guard Kyrie Irving.
This is a game that could be a blowout by the third quarter. Take Cleveland to cruise to the win behind a big game from LeBron.
NBA Odds: Cavaliers 122, Lakers 107
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