Cleveland Cavaliers vs LA Lakers Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 31, 2024 

The Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Lakers lock horns in New Year's Eve's marquee matchup. The Cavaliers enter this clash as the league's best team with a 28-4 record. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 18-13 but in tremendous form after recording six wins in their last eight games.

It's the second and final meeting of the year between the cross-conference rivals. The Cavaliers stormed past LA at home on Oct. 30 with a 134-110 win. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were the only players who made meaningful contributions. LeBron tallied 26 points and six rebounds on 9 of 13 shots, while Davis had 22 points and 13 rebounds on 9 of 17 shots.

The Cavaliers' core four were unstoppable that night. Evan Mobley dropped 25 points, and Jarrett Allen had a 20-point and 17 rebounds game. Donovan Mitchell finished with 24 points and seven assists, while Darius Garland scored 12 and recorded 10 assists.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Spread: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110), Lakers +3.5 (-110)

Money line: Cavaliers -162, Lakers +136

Total over/under: Cavaliers o228 (-110), Lakers u228 (-108)

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers have undisputedly been the team to beat this season. With only four losses in 32 games, they have turned a corner with their core under new coach Kenny Atkinson. Cleveland has done that while posting a league-high 121.2 offensive rating and a 109.7 defensive rating, which ranks seventh in the NBA.

Their size and pesky defense bothered the Lakers in their previous matchup, and it could prove to be their trump card again. The Cavaliers forced LA to commit 20 turnovers and scored 31 points off them, exploiting JJ Redick's team's transition defense woes.

Since then, the Lakers have tried multiple lineup combinations and schematic changes, bolstering their defense. Max Christie's inclusion in the starting lineup has been key. LA has the third-best defense, with a 107.1 rating over the past eight games. It has conceded 107.0 points per game.

The Lakers have limited opposition second-chance points to 12.6 points but points off turnovers remain an issue (18.8 per game). The Purple and Gold have a new-look roster, though. Dorian Finney-Smith has replaced D'Angelo Russell.

His presence on the defensive end and as a catch-and-shoot threat could cause Cleveland problems. Finney-Smith adds much-needed toughness and aggression, which could help neutralize the Cavaliers' strengths.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers Predicted Starting 5s

Cavaliers

PG - Darius Garland, SG -Donovan Mitchell, SF - Max Strus, PF - Evan Mobley, C - Jarrett Allen

Lakers

PG - Austin Reaves, SG - Max Christie, SF - Rui Hachimura, PF - LeBron James, C - Anthony Davis

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers Betting Tips

Donovan Mitchell is favored to score under 22.5 points. He had 24 in his last game against the Lakers and 23 in his previous outing against the Warriors on Monday.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is projected to score under 25.5 points. The Lakers big man had 36 in his last game but couldn't top the 21-point mark in four games before that. Davis also struggled against the towering presence of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in their last meeting.

LeBron James is favored to record over 8.5 assists. His season average is 9.0 per game, and with D'Angelo Russell gone, he might have to shoulder the burden of being the team's primary playmaker.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers are predicted to beat the LA Lakers, with oddsmakers leaning towards them as a -3.5-point favorite and -162 money line. They also have seven consecutive wins heading into Tuesday's showdown.

However, it could be a close game. The Cavaliers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back and third in five days, all on the road. Three of their four losses have also come away. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 10-4 at home. They are a much different-looking team than when they last faced the Cavaliers.