They’ve been banged up during this spell but should be getting a few bodies back for their contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have won three of their last four. Are the Cavs being undervalued on this betting line? Let’s take a closer look at this contest.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers are currently 5-0 ATS in their past five road games when playing against a team who is .500 or better and that number is primed to move up once more after this one. The Lakers are following up their championship run with outstanding performance after outstanding performance. Right now, it doesn’t look like any team is able to handle them when they are healthy.

The under is 4-0 in the Cavaliers last four games at home against teams with a winning road record. That number may turn to 4-1 in this matchup as the Lakers may prove to be too much to handle for this young and inexperienced Cavs team. Cleveland has been terrific defensively all season long so far, but they will have their hands full against James in this game.

Los Angeles Lakers

Probably the biggest bit of information for this game is that LeBron James will be returning to their starting lineup despite missing their last game. His return obviously changes the entire temperature of this matchup as he is one of the best players in the league. The Lakers are a perfect 9-0 in away games this season, so having him back is going to be crucial to their success.’

The Lakers have to be careful as it’s not quite clear how good the Cavs are. They beat the Nets a couple of times last week and the Nets are among the favorites in the East. However, the Cavs were also hammered by the Boston Celtics 141-103 on Sunday night, so the Lakers will have to take a closer look at that tape.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have been a terrific surprise this season. The growth of young guard Collin Sexton has seemingly taken this team to an entirely different level and has helped this team mesh as a whole. He’s scoring 26.8 points per game, which is tied for eighth in the league. Andre Drummond has been playing like an All-Star – scoring 18.8 points while leading the league with 15.1 rebounds per game – and that gives the Cavs a bit of a foundation. The recent trade to acquire Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince has given the team a lot more depth to play with.

They’re still a few bricks short of a load – as evidenced by Sunday’s effort. The Cavs were trailing by 22 at the half and mostly rested starters down the stretch. That’s against a Celtics team that was without Jayson Tatum. Another effort like that on Monday and they’ll get flattened again.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Cavaliers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

CLE

Points	Collin Sexton 24.33
Assists	Darius Garland 6.09
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.92
FG%	Jarrett Allen 60.9
Steals	Larry Nance Jr. 1.74
Blocks	Jarrett Allen 1.39

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

CLE

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cavaliers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

CLE

Points	Collin Sexton 24.33
Assists	Darius Garland 6.09
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.92
FG%	Jarrett Allen 60.9
Steals	Larry Nance Jr. 1.74
Blocks	Jarrett Allen 1.39

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

CLE

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Cleveland

Darius Garland (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21

Kevin Love (PF)

Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21

Kevin Love (PF)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21

Kevin Love (PF)

Out Mon Knee - 10 / 05 / 21

Cedi Osman (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21

Isaiah Hartenstein (C)

Out Sun Concussion - 09 / 05 / 21

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Sun Knee - 07 / 05 / 21

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 01 / 05 / 21

Matthew Dellavedova (PG)

out for season Neck - 26 / 04 / 21

Larry Nance Jr. (PF)

Out indefinitely Thumb - 26 / 04 / 21

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Darius Garland (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 16 / 05 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Garland will not be in the lineup on Sunday versus the Nets, as he will be given a day of rest.
Kevin Love (PF)	Out Sun	Rest - 15 / 05 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Love will not be available for Sunday's matchup with the Nets as he will receive a day of rest.
Kevin Love (PF)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	0-2	+ -
Love will not be active against the Wizards on Friday as he will receive a day of rest.
Kevin Love (PF)	Out Mon	Knee - 10 / 05 / 21	1-2	1-3	+ -
Love is bothered by a knee injury and will not be in the lineup on Monday against the Pacers, as he will receive a day of rest.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21	1-3	1-4	+ -
Osman has sat out the last three games due to a sore right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Friday's contest against the Wizards.
Isaiah Hartenstein (C)	Out Sun	Concussion - 09 / 05 / 21	1-3	1-4	+ -
Hartenstein has missed the previous four contests due to a concussion, and he will not be in the lineup to battle the Nets on Sunday.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 07 / 05 / 21	1-4	2-4	+ -
Love missed the last contest with a left knee contusion, but he is projected to face the Mavericks on Sunday.
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 01 / 05 / 21	1-7	4-5	+ -
Garland has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will line up against the Wizards on Friday.
Matthew Dellavedova (PG)	out for season	Neck - 26 / 04 / 21	1-10	6-6	+ -
Dellavedova has been sidelined due to a neck strain, and it is projected that he will miss the remainder of the season.
Larry Nance Jr. (PF)	Out indefinitely	Thumb - 26 / 04 / 21	1-10	6-6	+ -
Nance Jr. is out of the lineup with a fractured right thumb, and he will miss an extended period.