Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview (12/6/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

The surging Los Angeles Lakers will look to continue their impressive play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night! See which team has the advantage in this matchup, as well as the projected starting lineups, updated injury reports, and best odds available through the major sportsbooks.

Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

The Lakers are four-point road dogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Los Angeles has its entire roster (except for Cole Swider) healthy, and it has been interesting to see how much of a difference that has made recently. Meanwhile, Cleveland will miss Dean Wade, Dylan Windler, and Ricky Rubio for this bout. Jarrett Allen’s status was still up in the air when this article was written.

Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

Don’t look now, but the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be a good basketball team for the first time since their “Bubble run.” The Lakers are 8-2 in their past ten games, primarily due to Anthony Davis, who has resembled the old AD that we saw in New Orleans: an offensive juggernaut and a defensive force. Davis has averaged roughly 35 points and 15 rebounds in his past nine games, including a 55-point explosion against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. The good health of Davis and the rest of the roster has turned the Lakers from a horrendous team to a playoff-contending squad in just a short while.

Meanwhile, Cleveland sits in third place, with a 15-9 record, in what seems to be a top-heavy Eastern Conference. The play of Cavs’ All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has largely flown under the radar due to outrageous seasons from Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum; however, Mitchell has averaged roughly 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds on a 49/44/89 shooting split. If the Cavs were first in the Eastern Conference, there is little doubt that Mitchell would be discussed more, but they aren’t. Still, Mitchell and Garland make up one of the most talented backcourts in the NBA, and they are always dangerous, especially at home, where they’ve managed to amass a 10-1 record! I will take the Cavs against the spread, even though Anthony Davis could still explode. Los Angeles has to cool off sometime.

Betting Trends

  • Los Angeles is 4-6 ATS on the road in 2022-23
  • Cleveland is 9-1-1 ATS at home in 2022-23
  • The combined over record of these two teams is 22-24 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

The key matchup should be obvious: Anthony Davis versus Evan Mobley. Davis has been putting up ludicrous stats in the past few weeks and has resembled his former self. Check out further analysis below, including whether I think Mobley has a shot at containing Davis or not!

Anthony Davis vs. Evan Mobley

Evan Mobley has a challenging task at hand: defend Anthony Davis. At the beginning of the season, that phrase would have hit much differently than it does now, and a large part of that could be that AD is finally healthy again. As a player, it’s difficult to overcome injuries, and even more difficult when the media constantly scrutinizes your availability and your play when you make yourself available (despite often not being 100%.) Davis has posted ridiculous numbers in his past nine games: 35.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.

The unfortunate aspect of this matchup for Mobley is that unless Jarrett Allen comes back, he will have to be on AD for virtually the entirety of the game. Allen has missed five straight games, and there’s no guarantee he will come back for this one, which would leave Mobley all alone. Mobley has had an impressive season thus far, putting up 15 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do when an absolute freight train is coming at you full speed. Advantage: Davis.

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Lamar Stevens
PF: Mamadi Diakite
C: Evan Mobley

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: Cole Swider (Out)

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries: Dean Wade (Out), Dylan Windler (Out), Ricky Rubio (Out), Jarrett Allen (Q)

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Drew is one of the NBA Lead Writers at Lineups.com, specializing in betting content such as game predictions and player props. With a deep knowledge of players and prospects, Drew has an extensive edge in covering everything NBA.

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