Lakers Vs. Cavaliers Preview: LeBron James Returns To Cleveland Looking To Remain Undefeated On Road Trip

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with a troublesome problem on Tuesday, matching up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who’re third within the Japanese Convention.

Wenyen Gabriel is miss ing the conflict because of leg shoulder soreness whereas Ricky Rubio and Dean Wade are inactive on the Cavaliers’ facet. However Jarrett Allen makes his return from a four-game break that was attributable to a again problem.

Allen’s return means L.A. faces the strongest beginning 5 of the highest-ranked NBA protection. Cleveland provides up the fewest factors (105) and rebounds (39.9) per recreation in 2022-23 — whereas additionally limiting opponents to simply 38.4 area objectives made, additionally a prime mark.

Allen and Evan Mobley have been the primary architects of the Cavaliers’ stellar protection. However on Tuesday, they go up towards Anthony Davis and LeBron James within the frontcourt — which ought to make for a captivating private matchup.

All the time further motivated on his previous stomping floor, James scored 38 and 46 factors in his final two returns to Cleveland, an ominous signal for the hosts. In the meantime, Davis has been the perfect participant within the NBA during the last couple of weeks, averaging 35.3 factors, 15.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a pair of.9 blocks in his earlier 9 video games.

Moreover the battle on the glass, an aggressive protection could possibly be key to the win for the Lakers. Donovan Mitchell has been thriving offensively since shifting to Cleveland, placing up 28.4 factors per recreation. However the Cavaliers’ offense as a complete continues to be coming collectively following Mitchell’s addition as they commit Nineteenth-most turnovers and try photographs at a bottom-10 fee.

The Purple and Gold are taking up a mighty opponent on Tuesday. But when they keep the extent of play that has allowed them to win eight of their final 10 video games, they may show unstoppable as soon as once more — no matter who stands of their means.

Los Angeles Lakers (10-12) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-9)

4:30 p.m. PT, December 6, 2022
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
TV: TNT, Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA

Projected Lakers Beginning Lineup:

PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

Key Reserves: Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves, Troy Brown Jr., Kendrick Nunn, Thomas Bryant

Projected Cavaliers Beginning Lineup:

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Lamar Stevens
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

Key Reserves: Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro