The Cleveland Cavaliers (47-28) and Los Angeles Lakers (49-26) will meet in the NBA this Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on FDSOH.
The Lakers are 1.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Lakers -1.5), with the over/under set at 234.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -125 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, March 31.
Cavaliers vs Lakers Predictions
- Cavaliers vs Lakers picks: Lakers -1.5, Under 234.5
My Lakers vs. Cavaliers best bets are on Los Angeles to cover the spread and the game to stay under 234.5 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Lakers Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -108 | 234.5 -108o / -112u | +102 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -112 | 234.5 -108o / -112u | -125 |
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Preview
The Lakers have been riding high and surging towards a playoff appearance as the third seed, with Luka Doncic chasing his first MVP as a dark horse candidate.
The Cavaliers are wobbly and trying to steady the ship, but they have won two in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 — sitting only one game back in the loss column of New York.
Both teams need this game. The Lakers can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Suns loss; the Cavaliers can still catch the Knicks for the third seed. So, let's dig into the matchup.
The Lakers have beaten six of the last seven teams they've faced over .600, after months of struggling against good teams. They just lost to the Pistons on the road (without Cade Cunningham) to break their winning streak — but Detroit remains very tough, and this one is at home.
Both teams are on a back-to-back, so there’s no way to know how the injury report is going to shake out.
However, Doncic sat out the first leg, which presumes he’ll play in this one. LeBron James played in the Monday night game, so I’d expect him to sit. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers played everyone against the Jazz yesterday.
It’s important to note this is not a nationally televised game, so they don’t face the risk of a fine for sitting the star players here. The Cavaliers are free to go ahead and punt this game, but most players want the chance to play at Crypto.com Arena against the King. So, we'll see.
The market power rating line makes this just Lakers -0.5 — and on full-season numbers, I make the spread for this game Lakers +1.5.
However, I think we need to index on just how good the Lakers have been over the past month, and understand the need to ride the hot hand. When you get to March, some teams just go on these runs, and the Lakers are on one right now.
Cavaliers vs Lakers Betting Predictions
Lakers -1.5
Jarrett Allen's status means a lot for the Cavaliers in this spot.
Allen sat out yesterday's game against the Jazz, which suggests he’ll play here. The Cavaliers are 7-17 ATS with Allen inactive.
However, I still can’t get past the matchup problems.
The Cavaliers don’t have a good defender for Doncic (not that one truly exists). Jaylen Tyson is too small. Meanwhile, they will likely wind up with James Harden guarding either Austin Reaves or Marcus Smart, which will free up those players for spot-up chances.
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes are a good combo to throw against Evan Mobley and Allen defensively — and the Lakers are getting good minutes from their bench.
Reaves and the Lakers' bench unit should be able to trade blows with Harden in Cleveland's staggered lineups.
Ultimately, I’m not heavy on the spread, but I do think this is a Lakers-or-nothing spot, given how well they have played recently.
Under 234.5
The Lakers’ defense has stepped up recently. Los Angeles is is 9-6 to the Under in the month of March; and 12-8 since All-Star Break.
The Cavaliers' offense doesn’t have as much pop — and when the Cavs are road 'dogs, the Under is 6-4.
JJ Redick has consistently shown an ability to craft defensive solutions to slow down elite offenses.
With a playoff spot on the line, I’m expecting the Lakers to utilize a zone scheme to clog up the dribble drive chances for Harden and Donovan Mitchell, and force stilted shooting from the Cavaliers.
I like the Under better than the side in this spot.
Cavaliers vs Lakers Picks
- Lakers -1.5 (-112)
- Under 234.5 (-112)
Cavaliers vs Lakers Betting Trends
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