The last time the Cavaliers played at The Q turned into the most forgettable moment of the year, a 34-point loss to the Warriors in a rematch of the NBA Finals. Now, Cleveland gets a chance to take out the frustration of that dismal effort against another Pacific Division team when the Clippers visit in the first of a five-game road trip for them.
You can bet on NBA odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
LOOK AHEAD
Coach Doc Rivers said he’s just trying to win, which the Clippers did 10 straight times by adjusting with stars out, trusting each other and gaining confidence with an improved defensive effort. Rivers believes the lessons his team learned during their winning streak will make everyone better once the Clippers get back to full strength. That gets even more difficult now with five of the next six games coming against winning teams. That stretch started with a win over Houston on Monday and the Clips start a five-game road swing Thursday where they play the games in a seven-day span.
The stage was set for the Cavaliers to show everyone how they stacked up against the defending champs. The roster was intact, the game was played at The Q, and the Cavs absolutely fell flat on their face. We’ll see how they respond in this back-to-back set that opens with a trip to Brooklyn on Wednesday followed by a visit from the second place team in the Pacific Division. The Cavs lost at home for just the second time this season with Monday’s 132-98 drubbing by the Dubs and will look to get back in the win column. Cleveland is 4-3 SU and 2-4-1 in the second of its seven back-to-back sets this season and won the last two straight up. The Cavs are a good bet on the under in the second of back-to-back games, playing below the scoreline six times in seven occasions and have cashed the under in each of the last five.
INJURIES
Clippers forward Blake Griffin resumed limited basketball activities last week as he continues to recover from a partially torn quadriceps injury that has shelved him since Christmas. Griffin says he could return on the upcoming road trip, but Rivers isn’t as optimistic.
The only injury the Cavs suffered Monday was to their ego, after getting beaten handily, 132-98 by the Warriors a rematch of last spring’s NBA Finals.
KEY MATCHUP
The Cavaliers just got torched Monday by Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who made seven of the Warriors’ 19 three-point field goals during a 132-98 win. Curry’s total matched that of the Cavs, who went 7 of 19 from long-range. Now the Cavs must contend with LA’s sharp-shooter J.J. Redick, who is on pace to log the highest single-season three-point field goal percentage of any player in Clippers history. Redick is shooting better than 48 percent from the field and from three-point range. Before dropping 22 on Sacramento, Kings coach George Karl said he’s not sure there’s another offensive two guard in basketball more difficult to cover, the way Redick moves around the many screens the Clippers set for him. He was moving extremely well Monday, lighting up the Rockets for a career-high 40 points making 9 of 12 three-pointers and 11 of 19 overall in LA’s 140-132 overtime win.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
Even the best can have an off night every now and then. Let’s chalk the Cavs 132-98 loss to Golden State on Monday to an off night. Cleveland could go undefeated the rest of the way and would still be remembered for that loss in one of the most anticipated games of the season. Fully expect the Cavs to take that loss personal and respond in a way that winners do – by winning. The Clippers are playing well even without Griffin. They had their 10-game losing streak snapped Saturday and turned around with a win over Houston on Monday. The Clips take a six-game road winning streak into Cleveland where they are 5-1 ATS, but that sour taste remains in the Cavs mouths and the only way to rinse it out is by winning.
Cleveland 110, Los Angeles 104
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers will start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
