Jul 15, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) competes against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
- The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers continue in Summer League action Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- The Lakers scored a tight win Wednesday over the Atlanta Hawks while the Cavaliers fell to Golden State by 10.
- See the latest odds, best prop bets and a prediction for Lakers vs. Cavaliers on Thursday night.
Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers take on Craig Porter Jr. and the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Lakers and Cavs each sit at 1-2.
Both teams played Wednesday night, with the Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks by 1 point while the Cavs fell to Golden State.
Keep scrolling for a look at the latest odds, best prop picks and a prediction for Lakers vs. Cavs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | +5.5 (-105) | +195 | O 178.5 (-110) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -5.5 (-115) | -240 | U 178.5 (-110) |
The Cavaliers are favorites for tonight’s matchup, sitting at -5.5 at -115 odds. The Cavs are considerable moneyline favorites at -240 while the Lakers sit at +195.
The Lakers have looked rough this Summer, to say the least. However, Bronny James had a strong game that led LA to a win over Atlanta on Wednesday with Dalton Knecht seemingly shut down for the remainder of Summer League.
The Over/Under for this matchup has been set at 178.5 on Fanatics. The Cavs are averaging 91 points per game while the Lakers have failed to eclipse 90 in Las Vegas. And being down a top scorer, this game could lean towards the under.
Odds as of July 18. Check out our latest Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code for more info on an excellent welcome offer.
Summer League Players To Watch
Here’s a look at the top players to watch Thursday between the Lakers and Cavaliers.
Bronny James
We’ve all heard the Bronny James jokes, and we all rolled our eyes a bit when the Lakers selected him at No. 55. And while he struggled to start the Las Vegas Summer League, James had a strong Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks. Highlights from the game are above.
James went 5-11 from the field with 12 points and a pair of 3-pointers made, a step in the right direction after failing to eclipse double digits in his previous Summer League outings.
Craig Porter Jr.
Porter has been excellent for Cleveland in Las Vegas. The 2nd year guard out of Wichita State totaled 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in the Cavs’ last outing. He showed off his ability to facilitate against the Bucks with 7 assists.
Craig Porter Jr. with a nice drive to the hoop pic.twitter.com/N0XxHSnDgK
— Dylan🔮🪼 (@dillybar2145) July 18, 2024
Emoni Bates
Bates is another 2nd-year player that is having a strong Summer League with Cleveland. He’s averaging 17 points per game and dropped 20 in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic.
Assuming Bates and Porter take the court tonight, the Cavs have the better 1-2 punch between these 2 teams. It’s early, but both look like they can contribute at the NBA level very soon.
Knicks vs. Kings Picks & Predictions
Los Angeles was able to squeak out a win on Wednesday against a bad Hawks team missing their No. 1 overall pick. Without Knecht on the floor I’m just not sure Los Angeles will be able to find enough scoring to keep up with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have seen some strong performances from Craig Porter Jr, but also from former Eastern Michigan F Emoni Bates. I like Bates’ matchup against Colin Castleton, too.
As I mentioned earlier, I’d lean towards the under hitting in this matchup. Cleveland scored 112 against Milwaukee but has been 85 and under in both other matchups. The Lakers have been even worse offensively, even with Knecht on the floor.
LAL vs. CLE picks:
- Cavs -5.5 (-115)
- Under 178.5 (-110)
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face off in a highly anticipated Summer League game on July 18th. Both teams have been showcasing their young talent in the Las Vegas tournament, giving fans a glimpse of what the future may hold for these franchises.
The Lakers, led by their top draft pick, Jalen Green, have been impressive so far in Summer League play. Green has shown off his scoring ability and athleticism, making him a player to watch in this matchup. Alongside Green, the Lakers have other promising young players such as Austin Reaves and Joel Ayayi who have been making an impact on the court.
On the other side, the Cavaliers have also been making noise in Summer League with their own top draft pick, Evan Mobley. Mobley has shown flashes of his potential as a versatile big man who can score inside and defend the rim. Alongside Mobley, the Cavaliers have other young talents like Isaac Okoro and Brodric Thomas who have been contributing to the team’s success.
As for the betting odds for this game, it is expected to be a close matchup between these two young teams. The Lakers may have a slight edge due to their depth and scoring ability, but the Cavaliers have shown that they can compete with anyone in Summer League.
Ultimately, this game will come down to which team can execute their game plan and make key plays down the stretch. Fans can expect an exciting and competitive game between these two up-and-coming teams.
In conclusion, the Lakers vs Cavaliers Summer League game on July 18th is shaping up to be a must-watch matchup for basketball fans. With talented young players on both sides and close betting odds, this game has all the makings of a thrilling contest. Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this exciting Summer League showdown.