Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions, Odds, Picks

How Can the Lakers Beat the Cavaliers?

This game will be more than a homecoming for eventual NBA Hall of Fame member LeBron James. In order to remain in the Western Conference playoff race, the Lakers must sort out their defensive inconsistencies.

Against one of the league’s more efficient offences, the Lakers’ porous defence must find its footing early in the game. Opting to direct teams into the paint rather than shoot from three, the Lakers allow their opponents to shoot 53.9% from inside the arc.

Cleveland are one of the league’s most efficient paint shooting teams, ranking 9th overall at 53.9%. The Lakers are solid rim protectors, but they can’t hold off the varied attack of the Cavaliers. If they can’t defend the paint, the Lakers can add another game to the loss column.

Lakers Key Player: (F) LeBron James

pic.twitter.com/EC1vXfsrUq

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 20, 2022

In what will be his homecoming, expect another big game from superstar LeBron James. As he tries to drag his team back into the playoff race, James has been in prime form.

In his last game, a loss to the Washington Wizards, James posted 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. James has shown that he is still incredibly difficult to match, shooting 55.2% from the field and 40% from three against the Wizards.

To say that James turns up his game against the Cavaliers is an understatement. In 17 career games against Cleveland, James is averaging 29.1 points per game – his best scoring average against any team for his career. The future hall of famer can lead Los Angeles to victory.

How Can the Cavaliers Beat the Lakers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are .500 through 10 games this March, as they’ve struggled to find their offensive form, particularly from three-point range. If they hope to beat the Lakers, Cleveland must punish them from beyond the arc.

In 10 games this March, Cleveland are shooting 47.7% from the field, but just 34.0% from three on almost 30 attempts per game. To compound their issues, the Cavaliers have allowed their opponents to hit 12 threes per game through March, on 31.4 attempts on average.

Rather than shot hunting, the Cavaliers improved their three-point efficiency in their last game through selectively taking opportunities. Cleveland’s path to success will be through their own scoring, as their own defensive standards remain high.

Cavaliers Key Player: (G) Darius Garland

Darius Garland dimed out 9 of his 12 assists in the second-half to lead the @cavs to the comeback win at home! #LetEmKnow@dariusgarland22: 24 PTS, 12 AST, 2 STL pic.twitter.com/F0hZS8pFgf

— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2022

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had an excellent season, and shining for them in the point guard role is Darius Garland. Against a Lakers team that lacks perimeter defence, Garland’s production will be key for the Cavaliers.

In his last game, a win over the Detroit Pistons, Garland overcame a tough shooting night with his playmaking. Despite going just 8 of 18 from the field and 1 of 16 from three, Garland still posted 24 points and 12 assists in 41 minutes of play.

With the focus that the Lakers defenders will put on him, Garland will need to maintain his stellar passing play. Ball security will be paramount though, as Garland still committed 4 turnovers to his 12 assists.