NBA Handicapper Ryan Worden Free Pick Cavs VS Lakers 3/11
NBA Handicapper Ryan Worden Free Pick Cavs VS Lakers
Cleveland Cavaliers VS Los Angeles Lakers
Cleveland -2 O/U 229
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Lakers at the Staples Center in the third of their 6 game road trip. The Cavs are using this last month of the season to get their relatively new team ready for what LeBron James hopes is an 8th straight Finals appearance. The Cavs know the number 2 and 3 seeds are most likely out of reach so holding onto the 3 seed is their goal for the month of March. The Lakers are most likely looking towards next year at this point. They are 6 games back of the #8 seed and would have to jump 3 teams to get it.
The Cavs are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five. 4 of the 5 have gone UNDER.
The Lakers are 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five. 3 of the 5 have gone OVER.
For this RideTheHotHand.com free pick, I’m going after the total. This total is too high for the new-look Cavs. They are playing much better defense and in the last month before the playoffs start Cleveland’s main goal is learning how to gel, especially on the defensive side of the ball. After losing Friday night at Staples to the Clippers the Cavaliers will be ready for this one. Sleeping in the same Los Angeles hotel room as they have since they arrived in LA Thursday night will mean the Cavs will have plenty of rest and fresh legs to lock the young Lakers down on the defensive end. I look for this game to not break 220. TAKE THE UNDER Sunday Night.