Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds, Tips and Prediction

Match Details: Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers

1. Date: Tuesday 31st December 2024 

2. Start time: 6 pm local time (2 am BST) 

3. Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California 

4. Last meeting: October 30, 2024, Cleveland Cavaliers 134-110 Los Angeles Lakers  

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability

1. Los Angeles Lakers: 17/20 (1.85) – 54%

2. Cleveland Cavaliers: 1/1 (2.00) – 50%

3. Forecast Odds – Betting available on Stake closer to event

How is the season so far for both teams?

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Record: 27-4
• Home Form: 17-1
• Road Form: 10-3

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the entire NBA and are the distant number one seed in the East. Their home form is nearly perfect, having only lost one game in Cleveland, but their away form is one of the best due to the organization losing on three separate occasions. 

Their leading shooter is Donovan Mitchell, who averages 23.6 points per game. Although his numbers are slightly worse than in previous games, the Cavaliers are utilising him, their point guard, Darius Garland, and power forward Evan Mobley. The trio is all posting above 18.8 points per game, which is an essential factor in why they are one of the best teams offensively this season.

Mobley, in particular, has been a standout performer in rebounds alongside Jarrett Allen, averaging 8.9 and 10 rebounds per game, highlighting the efficiency in regaining possession in both defensive and offensive situations. Overall, Allen is 14th in the NBA in rebounds, whereas Mobley is 21st, but they're a key to the team’s success. 

Evan Mobley//Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers

• Record: 18-13
• Home Form: 10-4
• Road Form: 8-9

After a week’s absence during the December schedule, LeBron James returned and has played a pivotal role in the Lakers' mini spell of form. The team has risen to the fifth seed in the West and is now one of the most informed teams in its conference. 

Their shooting forward, James, turned 40 and is still playing at a high level. He missed the recent game against Californian rivals Sacramento Kings due to illness but is set to make a comeback in this historic clash against his hometown team, the Cavaliers. 

James is complemented by Lakers power forward Anthony Davis, who is seventh and sixth in the NBA in points per game and rebounds. Davis' versatility has been a massive help to the roster, and both will play important roles in trying to stop one of the best teams in the league right now. 

Value Bets

1. LeBron James: Over 25 Points, Over 7 Rebounds and Over 7 Assists: Despite LeBron James posting slightly lower numbers in points-per-game this season than his career best of the trademark 27-7-7 stat line, the 40-year-old still produces impressive numbers with 23.5 points per game. He posted yet another triple-double on Christmas Eve against the Pistons, but he will be as motivated as ever when facing the team he spent most of his career with. We predict that James will produce the goods, as he will have fire in his belly to again prove himself as one of the all-time greats. 

2. Evan Mobley: Over 20 points and Over 7 Rebounds: SportsBoom predicts Evan Mobley will be up for the task on New Year’s Eve for the Cavaliers. Most of his games this season see the 23-year-old producing his scoring efficiency, and he is averaging over 3 points more per game in his fourth year in the league. His shooting has improved, and he remains a key player in accumulating rebounds, meaning he will be a significant threat to the Lakers. In his last ten games, he has produced four double-doubles in points-per-game and rebounds, highlighting an impressive run-in form.