Lakers vs. Cavaliers NBA Player Prop & Pick: How to Back LeBron James in Cleveland (December 6)

NBA Player Prop & Pick

A Tuesday night game in Cleveland probably isn’t a highly anticipated road trip across the NBA. With all due respect to the Cavaliers, one of the league’s better teams right now, the city of Cleveland isn’t a pillar of excitement.

But when you’re a kid from Akron, making the trip to northeast Ohio takes on a different meaning.

LeBron James and the Lakers face off against the Cavs for their annual matchup in Cleveland tonight. Just going through historical box scores, it’s easy to see that James gets pumped up to play in his home state as a visitor. In his career, he’s averaged 33.9 points per game as a visitor in Cleveland, including point totals of 38, 46 and 32 as a Laker.

And it’s not like this line is inflated to account for any added motivation. The King is averaging 26.1 points on the season, eclipsing this line in 10 of 16 games.

Even with Anthony Davis playing at an MVP level, James has been producing of late. Over his last three games, James has accrued at least 28 points while upping his aggression significantly. His 44 drives in that span (14.7 per game) far exceeds the eight per game he averaged previously.

The Cavs are a tough draw, rating as the second-best defensive team this season. With the length of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen (who is questionable for tonight), Davis has the more difficult matchup inside. James should thrive, as he did in their first matchup this season, when he put up 27 points (compared to Davis’ 19).

The Lakers have won five of their last six, and I expect them to come out strong tonight for this nationally televised game. I have LBJ projected at 30 points tonight, and I would play this line up to over 26.5 points.

Pick: LeBron James Over 25.5 Points (-125) | Play Up to 26.5