The last game of 2024 will take place in Southern California, where the Los Angeles Lakers will play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

My Lakers vs Cavaliers predictions highlight the recent run of form defensively that could lead the home underdogs to victory.

Let’s dig into it with my NBA picks for December 31.

Cavaliers vs Lakers prediction

My best bet
Lakers +5 (-105 at bet365)

My analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued to struggle offensively, but that hasn’t stopped them from finding a way to turn their season around.

Their defense has remained firm, allowing an average of roughly 111 points per 100 possessions, and that’s largely due to their ability to stop the three.

Things have remained dire at the rim and murky in the mid-range, but this is a very attainable matchup for L.A. as it heads up against the top 3-point shooting team in the NBA and one which has done very little offensively in the restricted area.

Considering the Cleveland Cavaliers have taken nearly 50% of their shots here — ranking second in 3-point frequency this month — L.A. should have a surprisingly trustworthy defense even against the league’s leading offense in December.

If there’s any way in for the Lakers on offense as well, it would be in the mid-range — specifically closer to the rim — considering this is the lone weak spot on the floor for Cleveland. L.A. has taken the second-most shots here on average this month and has hit at a good rate just about everywhere inside the arc.

The Cavaliers have only lost one game in December, but it happened to come on the second night of a back-to-back. They just went to war with a tough Golden State defense, and now, given the matchup, things could get even tougher.

Cavaliers vs Lakers same-game parlay

Lakers +5

Donovan Mitchell Over 22.5 points

Max Christie Over 8.5 points

As I focus on the specific shooting zones where these sides are weakest, I’ll back two players with polar opposite track records.

First, this should be yet another night for Donovan Mitchell to shine. As I covered, the rim is a soft spot for the Lakers, and while Cleveland hasn’t performed well overall, Mitchell has forced the issue by ranking near the Top 40% of guards in shots taken at the rim.

Considering he’s also a mid-range maestro, he should find plenty of space to score on this defense.

Then, I’m going to fire up Max Christie again after going for 16 points in three straight. He’s been receiving plenty more minutes, and in that time he’s been one of the Lakers to try from the mid-range the most.

Christie sits just outside the Top 20% of wings in short mid-range shots and has hit a whopping 78%, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Cavaliers vs Lakers odds

Cavaliers vs Lakers live odds

Cavaliers vs Lakers opening odds

• Spread: Cleveland -3 | Los Angeles +3
• Moneyline: Cleveland -155 | Los Angeles +130
• Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5

Odds courtesy of bet365

Cavaliers vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis

• Cleveland’s been getting plenty of love in the betting market, moving two points up to five-point favorites and hitting as high as 5.5.
• A firm 65% of the spread bets and 72% of the money are on Cleveland to cover.
• The total steadily climbed all the way to 231.5 on Tuesday afternoon before trending back down to hit 227.5 in just a few hours.
• The Over has accounted for 85% of the tickets and 84% of the handle.

Cavaliers vs Lakers trend

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the first half game total Over in 24 of their last 36 games at home (+10.30 Units / 25% ROI) Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Lakers.

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