Many NFL betting players wondered if LeBron James would have been able to improve Cleveland's chances after the NBA MVP said he could have been a football star. But he's a bit busy anyway, trying to lead his hometown Cavaliers to a championship. James and the Cavs will face an inconsistent Utah team on Thursday night.
Cavaliers vs Jazz betting – Thursday, January 14, 10:30 PM ET
The Cavaliers (30-10) have won eight of their last 10, including two in a row at Portland and Golden State. James will be going for his fourth straight game with 30 points or more, although he'd surely give it up to get consistent scoring from his supporting cast. Outside of James, the best Cav this season has been Anderson Varejao, who could be a sportsbook favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. The scrappy forward leads the league in plus/minus, and he's shooting 51.6% from the floor.
The Jazz (21-17) have actually won three of their last four, and Deron Williams has been fighting through a wrist injury to average 20.0 points and 10.0 assists over his last three games. Carlos Boozer has also been playing well, but the power forward doesn't give his all 100% of the time. The Jazz are locked in a tight battle with Denver, Portland and a surprising Oklahoma City team in the Northwest, and they'll need to string together some wins to improve their NBA betting chances in your sportsbook.
If the Jazz are favored at home, which they usually are, it won't be by much as Cleveland has won three of their last five trips to Utah, including last season's by a 102-97 score as a 3-point underdog. It's always tough to pick against the Cavaliers, as anyone who gives betting tips will tell you, because in James, they have a player who can literally take over a game by himself if his team is in trouble. Varejao should make life difficult for Boozer in the lane, although the Cavaliers don't have anyone that can guard Williams. Cleveland has the better supporting cast, they've had a few days off, which is always good for an East coast team on a West coast road trip.
Online wagering pick: Cleveland
