T.M. Selection: LA Lakers.

I like the LA Lakers to cover the spread against the Cleveland Cavaliers in this game on Monday. The Lakers haven't looked good at all in their games lately, they have won 1/5 of their previous 5 games. They just got their win against the Raptors to break a losing skid they were on but they lost again right after that in their most recent game, losing to the Wizards by 8 points. I think the Lakers are due for a bounce back though and they need to kick it into gear if they are going to keep their playoff spot and even have a chance of making a run once they get there. They have the Spurs hot on their trail just 2 wins behind but I think the Lakers will step up and rise to the occasion here to win or at least make this game close. LeBron has still looked good in their games lately despite losing so many, and I expect him to put up a ton of points in this game against his own city. I think this will somewhat feel like a home game for him and I expect LeBron to have one of his best performances of the year being in Cleveland here. The Cavaliers haven't looked great in their games lately anyway. They have won 2 games in a row but both wins were very close and their most recent game was a home win by 4 points over the Pistons. The Cavaliers have also been missing Jarrett Allen and he is a big presence for them underneath the net. The Cavaliers started to dip a bit when he went out and they have been getting by without him in their rotation but a lot of their wins have come in close games and I think his absence will be a factor in this game. I expect the Lakers to dominate in the paint here and I think they even have a chance to win this game outright. I like the Lakers to cover the spread here.

T.M. Prediction: 109-106 Lakers.