KEY POINTS

  • Lakers will go for ninth straight wins on Monday
  • LeBron James is expected to play against the Cavs
  • Lakers are still favored over the Cavs despite injuries

If Saturday’s rout of the Thunder in OKC was not a testament to the depth that the Los Angeles Lakers have, then we don’t know what is.

Sans LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers were able to take care of business when they dealt Chris Paul and the rest of the Thunder a 125-110 beatdown, making it eight consecutive victories for them. The team will head back home in Hollywood on Monday to host the Cleveland Cavaliers inside the Staples Center.

Lakers:

James is listed as probable while Davis is questionable for this match. Also joining the list of injured troops are Avery Bradley (illness) who is listed as probable and Rajon Rondo (finger) who is tagged as questionable for the match. Danny Green, who also missed Saturday’s game due to a hip injury, is said to be good to go.

James was sidelined the last timeout due to flu-like symptoms. Present indications, though, show that the 35-year-old could be ready in time to face his former squad. Since his last absence on Dec. 22, James has averaged 24 points and 9.8 boards in a span of eight games.

Cavs:

A shake-up in the roster of the Cavaliers is inevitable before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, so it is not surprising that names on the trade rumor mill are serving notice by putting their game at a higher level. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, both subjects of numerous trade reports, are on a tear lately for Cleveland. On Saturday versus the Nuggets, Love tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds while Thompson churned out 18 and 13 for their 15th and 19th double-double, respectively, as they led the Cavs to pull the rug from under Nikola Jokic and the rest of Denver's crew.

Odds and Trends:

The odds will be updated soon.

The Lakers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog and 5-1 in their last 6 games following a straight-up win of more than 10 points.

The Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game and 5-1 in their last 6 games following an ATS win.

Over is 5-1 in Cavaliers’ last 6 overall and their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Under is 9-2 in Cavaliers’ last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 5-1 in Lakers’ last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Prediction:

Straight-up: Lakers

ATS: Lakers

Total: Over

Anthony Davis LeBron James Lakers
LeBron James #23 is congratulated by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after scoring a basket against Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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