Cavaliers vs Lakers NBA Predictions, Odds, Props & Picks (12/31)

It’s New Year’s Eve but that doesn’t mean the NBA will leave 2024 quietly. Tuesday’s basketball schedule features six games, including a Cleveland Cavaliers (28-4) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) matchup that’s ripe with team and player-related betting opportunities.

If you want to get in on the action, this article is the right one for you. Not only does it feature the latest Cavaliers vs. Lakers odds, but it also highlights some of the best NBA bets that you won’t want to miss out on.

Can LeBron James overcome his former team? Or will Cleveland get the last laugh in enemy territory?

Let’s dive in!

2024-25 NBA Game Predictions: 25-18-0 (58.1%)

2024-25 NBA Best Bet + Prop Record: 44-42-0 (51.2%)

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NBA Betting: Cavaliers vs Lakers Preview (12/31)

Cavaliers vs Lakers Betting Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers (28-4, 11-3 Away) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (18-13, 10-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024
• Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Lakers: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, SportsNet LA, NBA League Pass

Cavaliers vs Lakers NBA Betting Odds

All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 10:20 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Cavaliers vs Lakers Spread

• Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
• Los Angeles Lakers +3.5 (-110)

Lakers vs Cavaliers Over/Under

• Over 229 Points (-105)
• Under 229 Points (-115)

Cavaliers vs Lakers Moneyline

• Cleveland Cavaliers -155
• Los Angeles Lakers +135

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Cavaliers vs Lakers NBA Betting Trends

• Cleveland is 11-3 straight up in its last 14 road games.
• The Lakers are 5-2 straight up in their last seven home games vs. Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 3-5 ATS in its last eight games vs. Los Angeles.
• The Lakers are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• The total hit the Over in eight of Cleveland’s last 10 games.
• The total hit the Under in five of the Lakers’ last eight games.

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Cavaliers vs Lakers NBA Predictions & Picks (12/31)

The Lakers will head into tonight’s action hoping to get revenge from the first 2024-25 meeting between these inter-conference foes.

The two sides previously met at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse back on Oct. 30 as the Cavaliers notched a lopsided 134-110 win over the Lakers. Los Angeles failed to keep things close as Cleveland wreaked havoc on the perimeter, shooting 17-of-41 (41.5%) from the three-point line compared to the former’s 6-of-28 (21.4%) success rate.

Having said that, the Cavaliers will be facing a much different team this time around. On Sunday, the Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

Even though the trade wasn’t a blockbuster, Finney-Smith is a 3-and-D forward who helps improve Los Angeles’ frontcourt. He must live up to his abilities to slow down a Cleveland squad that averages the eighth-most points in the point this season.

How will Lakers head coach J.J. Redick utilize Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton following Sunday’s trade with the Nets?

If Milton and Finney-Smith seamlessly slide into Redick’s roster plans, they can help the Lakers extend their current momentum. Back-to-back wins over the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors have L.A. sitting at a 6-2 SU record in its last eight games, showing few signs of slowing down.

That’s without mentioning how the Lakers are 10-4 SU with a plus-3.4 average scoring margin at crypto.com Arena. Speaking of which, the Lakers also won four of their five previous home games against the Cavs, earning each of those victories by at least 12 points.

Past results might not mean much this time around, though, considering how the Cavaliers are one of the NBA’s most efficient teams on both sides of the ball this season. They’re also on a seven-game win streak which includes a 2-0 SU start to their four-game road trip, improving to 4-1 SU in their last five away contests.

That’s without mentioning the Cavaliers’ 69.2% ATS success rate as the visitors in 2024-25. Although the Lakers have been terrific at crypto.com Arena, they’ve only covered the spread in 57.1% of their home outings.

The Cavaliers have proven throughout the 2024-25 season that playing on the road won’t intimidate them. 

In what could be a close game, I have the Cavaliers continuing their win streak. The Lakers are playing well lately, however, it’s going to take their new acquisitions time to gel with their teams. The Cavs should be able to take advantage of that vulnerability, especially after blowing the Lakers out by 24 points just over two months ago.

As the NBA’s most consistent team in terms of spread coverage this season, I’m confident that the Cavaliers will cover as the 3.5-point favorites tonight.

Cavaliers vs. Lakers NBA Prediction: CLE wins

Best Cavaliers vs. Lakers NBA Bet: CLE -3.5 (-115)

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Best Cavaliers vs Lakers NBA Player Prop Bet (12/31)

For tonight’s best Cavaliers vs. Lakers player prop bet, I recommend taking the Over (-137 on SportsBetting) on Jarrett Allen’s 9.5-rebound total.

Even though his rebounding numbers are slightly down this season, Allen is still averaging a respectable 10.0 rebounds per game. The Over on this prop is 13-7 in his last 20 outings and just missed hitting the mark again when he finished with nine boards against the Warriors on Monday.

Another reason why I like this prop is because Allen already hit the Over in his first encounter with the Lakers this season, racking up a season-high 17 rebounds in October. With that performance, the former Texas Longhorn has now finished with 10-plus rebounds in each of his last five games against Los Angeles, averaging 13.0 RPG along the way.

With the Lakers surrendering the third-most rebounds to centers in 2024-25, you can’t go wrong with backing Allen again.

Best Cavaliers vs. Lakers Player Prop Bet: Jarrett Allen o9.5 Total Rebounds (-137)

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