Cleveland Cavaliers – Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron returns to his old haunt
The Cavaliers and Lakers meet in a game that could be historic — maybe the last time LeBron James plays in the arena that drafted him and where he delivered that 2016 title. Drama aside, both teams need the win. Standings matter, and neither side will treat this as a friendly.
Cleveland Cavaliers: keep the good run going 
The Cavaliers are finally ticking again. Six wins in seven, and Kenny Atkinson’s squad is starting to look like last season’s Eastern force. After a chaotic first half, second place is suddenly within reach — something that would’ve looked laughable a few weeks back.
Offense is humming (119.0 points per game — 4th), and the defense has shown flashes, especially in back-to-back wins over Orlando (119-105, then 114-98). Over the season they’re only 20th on defense (116.5 allowed), which usually doesn’t cut it in the postseason. Still, the recent trend hints at improvement. Let’s see how they handle the Lakers’ firepower.
INJURY REPORT : Darius Garland (OUT) – Evan Mobley (OUT) – Max Strus (OUT) – Sam Merrill (probable) – De’Andre Hunter (probable)
Los Angeles Lakers: another test on the Grammy road trip 
Since Crypto.com Arena handed the court over to the Grammys, JJ Redick’s group have coped fine. Three wins in four, the only loss coming to the Clippers (104-112) — one of the league’s better-run teams right now. Road wins in Dallas (116-110) and Chicago (129-118) showed both defensive bite in stretches and crisp offensive execution in others.
On paper the Lakers aren’t spectacular. They score and concede pretty much the same amount — 116.3 both ways. But a win tonight keeps them sniffing the Rockets for the 4th seed. That’s the perk of having staples like LeBron James and Anthony Davis — they’re the ones who make the big plays when it matters. They’ll need another clutch shift to beat Cleveland.
INJURY REPORT : Austin Reaves (OUT) – Adou Thiero (OUT)
NBA Pick Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Lakers
Under 236.5 points
The Cavaliers and the Lakers have players who can explode offensively — we’ve seen Donovan Mitchell hit 45 and Luka Doncic put up 46 in recent games. But with key absences on both rosters tonight, expect a more measured tempo. That makes 236.5 a stretch. Not a defensive slog, just not a shootout.
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