Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers 2/3/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup Preview

Coming off a tough loss to the Nets, the Clippers will rebound against the Cleveland Cavaliers. There are no indications of anyone resting for the Clippers, given it is the second night of a back-to-back, but it is something to always keep an eye on. The Cavaliers are not quite the pushover they were last season as they sit one game under .500 and have a backcourt that can get buckets. Cleveland is 5-5 in the last ten games and sit currently in 7th place in the East. The Clippers fell a half-game back of the Jazz for the top spot in the West but are 8-2 in the last ten games and played terrific basketball. Andrew Drummond is the notable name that is questionable tonight, but Jarrett Allen would step right in and is coming off a monster game. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: 2/3/21
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – Cleveland, OH
Channel: FS Cleveland

Live Stream Clippers vs. Cavaliers Free Online: Watch Every NBA Game

You can stream this game online for free. You can get a free 7-day trial and live stream NBA games from any device. Click the banner below and start watching.

Clippers Starting 5

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Paul George
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Serge Ibaka

Clippers Analysis

Los Angeles is coming off a tough loss to the Nets in a potential Finals preview. They now need to regroup against the Cavs, who are not the same team as last year. Neither are the Clippers, who are taking care of business. They rank top ten in points per game and opponent points per game. This should be a relatively slow game with both teams near the bottom of the league in pace. As expected, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have carried the team in scoring. Both are averaging over 20 points per game, but we see George keep his consistency compared to last year. That is a scary thought if this continues. I still have concerns about the depth and trade in the works to bolster the names around them. Serge Ibaka and Marcus Morris are both chipping in with 12 points per game but have got very little out of Lou Williams, who is shooting 38% this season. Typically they have relied on his scoring off the bench. Nicols Batum and Reggie Jackson picking up minutes aren’t ideal for the playoffs, but they are fine in the meantime. The depth isn’t as appealing compared to last season.

Cavaliers Starting 5

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Collin Sexton
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Taurean Prince
C: Andre Drummond (Q)

Cavaliers Analysis

Cleveland comes in tonight ranking 29th in points per game but 6th in opponent points per game. Surprisingly they have bought into their defense, and a slow pace certainly helps as well. They take on one of the better offensive teams and throw some younger and lesser bodies at Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Cleveland has been moving in an opposite direction compared to the rest of the league, and by that, I mean they have a lot of bigs. Los Angeles isn’t a relatively big team, so we will see Prince fill in at the four and Drummond or Allen at the five. Kevin Love and Larry Nance are out for tonight’s game, and Drummond has dealt with a back issue. Since Jarrett Allen has come over in the eight games, he has averaged 13 and 7, with two blocks per game. He has just started only once behind Drummond, which was the last game. Drummond has stuffed the stat sheet this season, averaging 18 and 15. He also is averaging 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Collin Sexton is heading to a potential most improved award. He is averaging 24 points per game on 49% from the field and 43% from three. Sexton has really taken the lead, with Darius Garland averaging 15 points per game but five assists per game as well.

Clippers & Cavaliers DFS Angle

It is a favorable matchup for the Clippers, who have a 110 total tonight. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are on the second night of back to back, and I would keep an eye on any resting. This would shift ownership and usage to the non-resting player. If one rests, Lou Williams would also get a bump and see plenty of minutes. The Cleveland backcourt has had a strong fantasy year, especially Collin Sexton. He is averaging 34 fantasy points per game in the last ten and has a 31% usage rate. It is a tough matchup, but the upside is there. Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince are deep values who will fill in for the injured Cavs. As mentioned above, Andre Drummond is questionable tonight, and that would open up Jarrett Allen minutes, who filled in very nicely last time out. The Clippers do rank top-ten against centers, but Allen is a solid player who has consistently been buried behind others in his career. Any tick up in minutes, Allen is always on our list.

Clippers vs. Cavaliers Betting Odds

Clippers Spread: -7.5
Clippers Moneyline: -330
Cavaliers Spread: +7.5
Cavaliers Moneyline: +260
Over/Under Points Total: 219

Los Angeles is heading into tonight covering in seven of their last ten games. They are 14-5 as a favorite this season, and the over has been favorable in most of their games this season. The Cavaliers have been competitive and have covered 10 out of 21 games and are off to a better start than last season. Public money is coming in on the Clippers, which makes sense, given many will think this should be higher. The under is also favorable given the second night of a back-to-back and the Clippers stingy defense. Cleveland has struggled to score outside of Sexton this season and is only averaging 103 points per game. I like the under and them to struggle to keep pace with one of the league’s best t.