Cavs vs. Clippers Betting Line at LA -8
The Cavs vs. Clippers betting line had LA as a -8 home favorite with the total coming in at 207.5. Place your 1st bet, get your 2nd bet FREE here.
The Cavaliers look to win their second straight game at Staples Center on Friday for a meeting with the host Clippers.
Cleveland snapped a six-game losing skid (SU and ATS) Thursday with a 109-102 victory over the Lakers as a 6.5-point road favorite. The Clippers, meanwhile, picked up a huge 100-94 victory as 3.5-point road underdogs against the Blazers on Wednesday. L.A. has now won-and-covered in three of its past four games and six of its past eight as well. Over the past six meetings, these teams have split victories, with the Cavs holding the 4-2 ATS advantage. Three of the past four meetings have finished Under the total.
Favoring Cleveland in this one is the fact that the Clippers are 6-14 ATS after three straight games committing 14 or less turnovers this season. They are also 329-393 ATS after playing a road game since 1996. However, Los Angeles is 82-55 ATS in January home games in that span, and is up against a Cavaliers team that is 8-20 ATS this season when the total is greater than or equal to 200, and 14-31 ATS after a non-conference game over the past two seasons. Cleveland is also 1-12 ATS this season after one or more consecutive Overs. The only injury concern for either team in this matchup is Cavaliers C Kevin Love (back) listed as questionable after suffering back spasms on Thursday.
The Cavaliers needed to get a win Thursday against the Lakers and were able to do so thanks to SF LeBron James (25.8 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.3 RPG) producing 36 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 38 minutes. He should be able to dominate Los Angeles, as the team lacks a small forward that could truly cover him.
PG Kyrie Irving (20.7 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.5 SPG) had 22 points, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes against the Lakers and he’ll need to be ready to play in this one, as he’ll be up against Chris Paul, who is a tough cover on any given night. With both stars logging so many minutes, fatigue could be a factor on back-to-back nights.
If C Kevin Love (17.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG) is unable to play against Los Angeles, C Tristan Thompson (9.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 0.9 BPG) would really be counted on to step his game up. Blake Griffin is one of the toughest covers in the league at the power forward position, and the Cavaliers can’t afford to let him score at will.
SG J.R. Smith (11.6 PPG, 3.0 APG) has been playing pretty well since joining the Cavaliers, and over the past two games, he’s averaging 21.5 PPG and 2.5 SPG. His ability to shoot the ball will allow James to drive to the basket and not have to worry about every one of the opposing team’s defenders caving in on him.
The Clippers picked up their most impressive victory of the season in their last game, beating the Blazers by six points in Portland.
PG Chris Paul (18.1 PPG, 9.6 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG) was outstanding in that one, finishing with 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in 41 minutes of action. He’ll now look to bottle up Kyrie Irving on the defensive end and continue his hot shooting offensively (42% threes in past five games).
PF Blake Griffin (22.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG) struggled against the Blazers, finishing the game with 18 points and only three rebounds in 39 minutes. He was settling for too many outside jumpers against Portland and will need to position himself around the basket against a Cavaliers team that struggles to defend opposing power forwards.
Perhaps the biggest reason the Clippers were able to beat the Blazers Wednesday was the play of SG Jamal Crawford (15.8 PPG). The sixth man was unconscious in that victory, scoring 25 points in just 31 minutes of action. Los Angeles needs Crawford to be more consistent shooting the ball going forward. Over the past five games, he has failed to reach double-digits in points twice and he is one of the team’s best scorers.
C DeAndre Jordan (9.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG) will need to rebound and defend against Cleveland. LeBron James is a force when taking the ball to the rim and the play of Jordan will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup. Jordan had 17 points, 18 rebounds and a block in the big win on Wednesday.
