Even though NFL betting is the hot play of the weekend, check out an intriguing matchup in the NBA on Saturday night, when Cleveland concludes a five-game Western road trip with a game against the Clippers, who are one of the league's biggest surprises.
Cavaliers vs Clippers odds – Saturday, January 16, 10:30 PM ET
LeBron James has been playing even better than usual, averaging 34.4 points, 8.0 boards and 8.0 assists in his last five games, but there's only so much he can do on his own, which is why the Cavaliers are only 2-2 in their first four games of this road trip. Cleveland is still trying to figure out how to play with Shaquille O'Neal in the lineup, and Mo Williams has struggled, averaging just 10.4 points over his last five games. For the Cavs' sportsbook odds to improve, they need Williams to be more consistent.
The Clippers had dropped two in a row before Friday's meeting with the Lakers, but prior to that, they had won four straight. Baron Davis has been powering the Clippers, averaging 19.4 points and 10.2 assists over his last five games. The Clippers are a better team when Davis is healthy, and they'll need him to continue his good run of form since they got their latest bad news. No.1 overall pick Blake Griffin will miss the rest of the season because of his knee injury he suffered in the final preseason game, which is just another story in the Clippers' poor draft history.
US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews) should back Cleveland on the road, as they've won eight of their last nine against the Clippers. Cleveland will get another edge in this game as the Clippers will play a tough game against the Lakers on Friday, and the Lakers will be eager to avenge a loss to the Clippers from last week. Playing back-to-back games is tough enough, but it's a tough thing to ask a team to play the league's best teams on back-to-back nights. The Clippers are 4-4 in the second half of back-to-back games so far this season, but this is the toughest back-to-back you can ask for, and the Cavs will be rested, as well as angry from a one-point loss in Utah on Thursday night.
Internet betting pick: Cleveland
