The Los Angeles Lakers (28-17) and Cleveland Cavaliers (28-20) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Cavaliers are 2.5-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Cavaliers -2.5), with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. Cleveland is a -148 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +124 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Lakers vs Cavaliers Prediction, Picks
- Lakers vs Cavaliers pick: LeBron James Over 23.5 Points (-115)
My Cavaliers vs. Lakers best bet is on LeBron James to go over his points total, with the best price currently available at Fanatics, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Cavaliers Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -102 | 236.5 -108o / -112u | +124 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -118 | 236.5 -108o / -112u | -148 |
Lakers vs Cavaliers NBA Preview
The Lakers are currently in the middle of their annual Grammy Road Trip and have won three of the first four games and four of five overall.
On Monday night, they defeated the Bulls by a score of 129-118, with Luka Doncic recording 46 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists. He became the third player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in their first 65 games with a franchise.
On Saturday night, the Lakers returned to Dallas, where Doncic is still beloved following last year's shocking trade.
Tonight, LeBron James will get the return game treatment as the Lakers visit Cleveland.
James spent 11 years with the Cavaliers, including two stints, and led them to the 2016 NBA Championship.
James has scored 20 points in 16 of his last 20 games, and on Monday, he got there in the first quarter, scoring 20 of his 24 points.
The Lakers will take on a hot Cavaliers team, winners of four straight and 11 of their last 15 games.
Over those last 15 games, the Cavaliers are fifth in offensive rating and seventh in net rating. They vaulted into fifth place in the Eastern Conference and sit two games behind the Celtics for the second seed.
Donovan Mitchell has led the way as expected of late, with three consecutive games of 33 points or more.
The Cavaliers may need another 30-point outing from him with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley already out tonight.
Jaylon Tyson has already been well in Garland's absence, averaging 20 points over his last 10 games without him. He has also scored 16 points in three of five games without Mobley this season.
Cleveland is also expected to get DeAndre Hunter and Sam Merrill back tonight as they are both listed as probable.
For the Lakers, Austin Reaves is getting closer to a return from a left calf strain, but he will be out once again tonight.
Lakers vs Cavaliers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Is tonight James' final game in Cleveland? We won't know the answer tonight, but regardless, James will want to put on a show back in his home state and against his former team.
LeBron has scored 22 points in each of his last four games against Cleveland, averaging 24 points in his last two.
The Cavaliers' defense is 3.5 points worse with Evan Mobley off the floor. That should benefit James as he has scored 24 points in 12 of his 20 games, averaging 24.7 per game in that span.
After his moment in Dallas on Saturday, Doncic may defer a bit to James tonight, but I still expect him to score 30 points.
As a Maverick, he scored 39 and 45 points in his last two games against Cleveland. He has also scored 30 points in seven of his last 10 games.
Defensively, the Lakers are 27th in 3-point percentage defense and 19th in 3-pointers allowed.
Mitchell has made 10 3-pointers in his last two games against the Lakers. He has knocked down four or more in six of his last 10 games and averages 3.8 per game this season.
Tyson will also benefit from the Lakers' perimeter defense, as he has knocked down two threes in eight of his last 10 games.
He has pulled down at least five rebounds in eight of those games, as well as four assists in his last six games.
Tyson's all-around play has helped him reach 25 PRA in six straight games and 10 straight without Garland.
Pick: LeBron James Over 23.5 Points (-115, Fanatics)
Lakers vs Cavaliers Parlay Picks
- LeBron James 20+ Points
- Luka Doncic 30+ Points
- Jaylon Tyson 25+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Donovan Mitchell 4+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +415 via Fanatics
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
My Cavaliers vs Lakers betting prediction is on LeBron James over 23.5 points at -115.
