The Los Angeles Lakers are hosting LeBron James’ old team this weekend. Too bad James won’t play. The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming to town but the luster will be off this game as James continues to deal with a groin strain that has kept him sidelined since Christmas Day.
The Lakers are tumbling in the standings without their superstar but have a good chance of winning this game since they are at home against an inferior foe. The Cavs were perennial contenders because of James but are now one of the worst teams in the NBA without him leading the way.
This game means much more to Los Angeles, and the Lakers will be disappointed if they can’t come away with the win in a game in which they will be favored in NBA betting.
This NBA basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 13th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on NBA TV.
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Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers have a lowly record of 8-34 on the season. They have been awful on the road with only three victories in 20 attempts. Cleveland is scoring only 102.5 points per game, which is one of the worst totals in the NBA, while giving up 113.0 per contest. Any way it’s spun, this has been a huge step back for the Cavaliers without James.
The Lakers are 23-19 on the season and currently hanging on to the last seed in the Western Conference playoff race. They have been solid at home with a 13-8 mark, but most of those wins have come behind James’ excellence leading the way. Even so, Cleveland has been so bad on the year that Los Angeles will be expected to defend its home court successfully in this one.
Injury Report
James’ groin injury was at first termed minor but clearly it is pretty significant. He has been out a couple of weeks and does not seem likely to be back any time soon. James is having another tremendous season, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest. Perhaps no player in the NBA has a bigger impact on his team’s fortunes as James.
The Cavs were hoping to lean on Kevin Love to take over as the go-to guy following James’ departure, but he has played only four games this season as he deals with a toe injury. Love is averaging 19.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in limited action and perhaps the team will look better when he finally gets back on the court. He won’t be available for this one, taking some more star power out of the matchup.
Key Stat
41. That’s how many points Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma scored in the team’s 113-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. He has also been dealing with an injury of late but looked plenty healthy in that performance. Kuzma shot 16-of-24 from the floor and hit half of his 10 three-point shots.
With James out, the Lakers badly need players to step up and lead the way. Kuzma has been doing so off and on, and if he can build off a tremendous night the Cavaliers will be in deep trouble.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Lakers played poorly after James’ injury but have actually won two in a row now. Los Angeles has some young talent and without Love on the court, the Cavaliers don’t have a true star. This one might be closer than people expect, but look for Los Angeles to pull out the win.
The Cavaliers could be the right pick on the spread in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 109, Cleveland Cavaliers 104
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