NBA Game of the Week: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Two of the hottest teams in the NBA will play each other Tuesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m.
After a dreadful 2-10 start to the season, the Lakers have gone 8-2 and look more like a functional team. This is in large part due to Anthony Davis, who has been absolutely dominant as of late.
Davis is coming off another monster game where he dropped 55 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. Over his last six games, he is averaging 35.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.2 steals.
Injuries have plagued Davis throughout his career, but he is proving once again that he is an MVP-caliber player when healthy.
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell has done wonders for the team in his first year. He’s putting up a career-high 28.4 points per game and has been far improved as a defender.
The Cavs team leads the league in the fewest points allowed per game, improving their already great defense from last year.
Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are locking down the frontcourt, and Darius Garland is already one of the best distributors in the league.
Davis will have a tough time against Allen and Mobley, and it will be the key matchup in the game.
LeBron James will return to Cleveland, where he spent 11 seasons of his career and won an NBA championship. In his career playing against the Cavaliers, James has averaged 29.4 points, 7.3 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 19 games.
This season, James has maintained his elite numbers while allowing Davis to shine at the same time. The duo, when healthy, is still talented enough to win any game.
Russell Westbrook got off to a very rocky start with the Lakers last season but seems to have finally found his role.
This season, Westbrook has primarily been the sixth man on the roster, providing energy off the bench. His stats are down, but his play has been better.
The lack of depth has been an issue surrounding the stars on the team, as well as perimeter shooting.
The Lakers rank second to last in the NBA in 3-pointers made, which is especially a problem with their main personnel. James, Davis and Westbrook aren’t great shooters, and usually thrive when they are surrounded by shooters.
Sometimes the team looks dysfunctional, but with Davis playing the way he has been lately, the Lakers have a chance to fight for a playoff spot.
The Cavaliers are a well-built team with not many weaknesses. Kevin Love leads the bench unit and there are more role players all around.
The safe and smart pick is the Cavaliers, but the Lakers have seemed to figure something out as of late, which can make this game a close one.
Prediction: Cavaliers 113, Lakers 110
Christopher Reynolds is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.
