The Cleveland Cavaliers will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at Intuit Dome. The game is set for 10:30 PM ET as Cleveland looks to bounce back from a rare loss. The Cavaliers hold the NBA’s best record at 56-11, while the Clippers are 38-30 and fighting for playoff positioning.
Cleveland recently had a 16-game winning streak snapped with a 108-103 loss to Orlando. The Clippers have won six of their last seven games and are finding momentum as they near full strength. This is the first of two meetings between these teams in March, with a rematch scheduled for March 30 in Cleveland.
CLE Preview – Can They Regain Momentum?
The Cavaliers remain one of the NBA’s top teams, with a strong offense and a reliable defense. Cleveland ranks second in the NBA in scoring at 122.5 points per game and shoots 49.2% from the field. They rank first in three-point shooting at 38.8%, making them a consistent threat from outside.
Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland with 23.2 points per game and scored 23 in their most recent loss. Jarrett Allen has been a key presence in the paint, averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds in the last game. Darius Garland is averaging 19 points with solid playmaking as the Cavaliers’ primary ball handler.
The Cavaliers have been strong on the road, going 26-6 away from home. They have covered the spread in 44 of their last 69 games and have hit the game total over in 57 of their last 91 contests.
LAC Preview – Finding Their Form
The Clippers are getting healthier and gaining momentum. Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in just 27 minutes in their recent win over Charlotte. James Harden scored 31 points with 10 rebounds in that game, continuing his strong form as a scorer and facilitator.
Norman Powell returned from injury and played 23 minutes in his last outing. Powell has averaged 23.4 points this season when healthy, adding a key scoring presence for Los Angeles. Ivica Zubac has been reliable in the paint, averaging 17 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Charlotte.
The Clippers have performed well at home, winning 23 of 33 games at Intuit Dome. They have covered the spread in 22 of their last 29 home games, showing consistent form on their court.
Betting Prediction
Cleveland enters as a 3.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 229.5 points. Cleveland’s strong shooting and scoring depth give them an advantage, but the Clippers have been solid at home. The Cavaliers’ recent loss could push them to respond well in this matchup.
The Clippers’ improved health and home-court edge make this a competitive matchup. Cleveland’s efficiency and strong road record give them the upper hand to win and cover the spread.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5
This should be a great basketball game. But, in the end, the better team comes away with a win, despite being on the road. The Cavaliers are one of the top favorites to win the NBA title in 2025!
