This was supposed to be LeBron James’ latest chance to dominate his former team – but with James out of the Los Angeles lineup, Sunday’s showdown between the Lakers and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers is missing a lot of its allure. James is nursing a groin injury and will be re-evaluated late next week – but his absence hasn’t prevented oddsmakers from making the Lakers big favourites against Cleveland, which comes in with a league-low eight victories.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Not only are the Cavaliers a tough pick to win SU, they haven’t exactly instilled confidence from a covers perspective of late. Cleveland has gone just 1-5 ATS in its past six games and has gone a dismal 7-20 ATS in its past 27 games vs. Pacific Division opponents. That said, the underdog has covered in five straight meetings, and L.A. is just 4-13 ATS in its previous 17 games vs. the East. The Lakers are 1-1 ATS as a double-digit favourite this season.

The teams are headed in opposite directions when it comes to totals action. Cleveland has been a sensational over option, having gone 5-0-1 O/U in its past six games and 12-3-1 O/U in its last 16 games following a straight-up defeat. The Lakers, on the other hand, are 15-5-1 to the under in their past 21 home games and 12-3 to the under in their past 15 following a loss. The over has cashed in 10 of their past 11 meetings.

Cleveland Cavaliers

A 12-game losing skid is ugly no matter how you slice it, but it appears the Cavaliers are actually getting worse the longer the run continues – particularly on the defensive end. Cleveland has allowed an average of 128.5 points over its previous six games, losing four of those contests by at least 25 points. Five straight meetings at Staples Center have finished above the total – and if the Cavs’ defensive indifference continues, so will that streak.

Los Angeles Lakers

As you might expect, the Lakers have struggled mightily with James out of the lineup, having gone 3-6 SU. And while the team has fared well on defence in that span (104.2 defensive rating, third-best in the NBA), the offence has looked an awful lot like last year’s pre-James iteration. Los Angeles is averaging just 106.3 points per game over the nine-game stretch, shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from deep and 65.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Injuries

Cleveland

Kevin Love (PF)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tristan Thompson (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tristan Thompson (C)

Prob Fri Rest - 05 / 04 / 19

Tristan Thompson (C)

Out Thurs Rest - 04 / 04 / 19

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 03 / 19

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Fri Head - 20 / 03 / 19

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 17 / 03 / 19

Marquese Chriss (PF)

Elig Thurs Suspension - 12 / 03 / 19

Kevin Love (PF)

Out Tues Rest - 11 / 03 / 19

Larry Nance Jr. (PF)

Prob Wed Ribs - 08 / 03 / 19

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kevin Love (PF)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Love will not be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Hornets as he will be rested.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Thompson will receive a day of rest and is unlikely to face the Hornets on Tuesday.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Prob Fri	Rest - 05 / 04 / 19	1-3	2-2	+ -
Thompson sat out the previous game to rest but is expected to take the court against the Warriors on Friday.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Out Thurs	Rest - 04 / 04 / 19	1-3	2-2	+ -
Thompson will not suit up against the Kings on Thursday due to a day of rest.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 30 / 03 / 19	2-4	4-2	+ -
Love has missed the last three games with left shoulder soreness but will likely play Sunday against the Spurs.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Fri	Head - 20 / 03 / 19	5-6	7-4	+ -
Love left the last game due to a head injury but is projected to play Friday against the Clippers.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 17 / 03 / 19	5-7	8-5	+ -
Love was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a lower-back contusion but is expected to take part in Wednesday's clash against the Bucks.
Marquese Chriss (PF)	Elig Thurs	Suspension - 12 / 03 / 19	7-7	9-6	+ -
Chriss has been suspended one game due to his involvement in an on-court altercation with an opponent. He is expected to be reinstated in time for Thursday's contest against the Magic.
Kevin Love (PF)	Out Tues	Rest - 11 / 03 / 19	7-8	10-6	+ -
Love will not be in Tuesday's lineup against the 76ers as he will be rested.
Larry Nance Jr. (PF)	Prob Wed	Ribs - 08 / 03 / 19	8-8	10-7	+ -
Nance Jr. sat out his fifth-straight game with a rib contusion but is likely to rejoin the lineup against the Bucks on Wednesday.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Cavaliers vs. Lakers Prediction