Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers ATS Odds

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The Los Angeles Lakers (29-36) will be at home in Staples Center when they go head-to-head with the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-27). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 228.5 points with Cleveland set as a 2-point favorite. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 11, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Preview

The last time the Cavaliers played, they were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-102. LeBron James put together a good performance for Cleveland, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting. Los Angeles had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9 (above their season average of 22.8). Cleveland, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 11.3).

The Lakers are hoping for a better outcome after their 125-116 loss to the Denver Nuggets in their last outing. Brook Lopez was the games high scorer with 29 points on 12-for-18 shooting. Denver did a fantastic job of making free throws (26-30; 86.7 percent). Los Angeles, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.3 (above their season average of 24.0).

Getting to the line might be few and far between for Los Angeles in this matchup. The Lakers currently rank 23rd in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.181, while Cleveland ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.166).

Of Cleveland’s 65 games, 32 have finished over the O/U total, while 36 of Los Angeles 65 games have finished over the projected point total. The Cavaliers hold the clear advantage straight up (SU) (38-27 vs. 29-36), but the Lakers have been better against the spread (ATS) (35-30 vs. 21-43-1).

Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Cavaliers, it’s been Larry Nance Jr. who has averaged 14.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals, while the Lakers have received solid contributions from Julius Randle (20.4 points and 8.4 rebounds).

These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 233 points, which was over the projected point total of 220.5. The Cavaliers won 121-112, but were unable to cover as 11-point favorites. The Cavaliers played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.233 and a turnover percentage of 12.6. The Lakers put up marks of 0.095 and 15.1, respectively, for those same stats. James played a huge role in the victory, recording a a triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction

Prediction: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Lakers rank second in rebounds per game (46.3) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd (42.1).
  • Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.3) while Cleveland ranks 13th (12.4).
  • Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (14.5) while Cleveland ranks 22nd (11.4).
  • Los Angeles ranks 12th in steals per game (8.1) while Cleveland ranks 13th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
  • Cleveland is 14-18 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 17-14 ATS at home.
  • Of the Cavaliers 32 road games, they have 16 overs and 16 unders.
  • Of the Lakers 31 home games, they have 16 overs and 15 unders.
  • When allowing under 100 points, Cleveland is 14-2 and Los Angeles is 11-3.
  • The Lakers are 26-23 when they reach 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 37-15.
  • The Cavaliers average 32.6 three pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Lakers rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
  • Cleveland ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (5.6).
  • The Lakers rank sixth in assists per game (23.9) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in assists allowed per game (25.7).
  • The Cavaliers rank 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.6) while the Lakers rank 27th (18.7).
  • Los Angeles averages 52.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.5).

Betting Trends:

  • Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
  • Over their last five games, Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
  • The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 1.7 points.
  • During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.6 points per game (0.2 below their season average).