by Rod Pearson
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: KTLA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Cavaliers -3.5, Clippers +3.5; Over/Under: 230 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Cavaliers -3.5, Clippers +3.5; Over/Under: 230 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Cavaliers -3.5, Clippers +3.5; Over/Under: 230 points
Season Record
Cleveland Cavaliers: 56-11 (1st place, Central Division)
Los Angeles Clippers: 38-30 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Cleveland Cavaliers: 9-1 last 10
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-4 last 10
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Analysis
The Cavaliers are entering this game with a 56-11 record overall this season and they are 26-6 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Orlando Magic. Donovan Mitchell led the team in points in that game with 23 while Jarrett Allen was next on the team with 20 points. Max Strus and Donovan Mitchell each led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Jarrett Allen led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 41.7% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 65% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 122.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.6 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 42-24-1 this season and their O/U record is 42-25.
The Clippers are entering this game with a 38-30 record overall this season and they are 23-10 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Miami Heat, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Charlotte Hornets. James Harden led the team in points in that game with 31 while Kawhi Leonard was next on the team with 23 points. Ivica Zubac led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Ivica Zubac led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 48.4% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 87% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 111.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 108.4 PPG against them. The Clippers have an ATS record of 37-31 this season and their O/U record is 30-36-2.
Cavaliers vs Clippers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Cavaliers listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cavaliers have looked great in their games this season with their 56-11 record overall which has them right at the top of the East with the best record in the entire NBA. They have also been a great road team this year with their 26-6 road record. Meanwhile, the Clippers have looked good in their games this season with their 38-30 record overall, but that record has them right in the middle of the West and in a play-in spot. They have looked great on their home court this year with their 23-10 home record, but they were once in a true playoff spot in the West and have been sliding down the standings lately. They have still been playing well lately as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have some momentum on their side with 3 wins in a row now, but they have also struggled when they have had to play the elite teams in the NBA this season. All 3 of their wins during this streak have been against teams under .500, and now they are getting the best team in the league right now. The Cavaliers have also been hot lately as they are 9-1 in their last 10 games, but they are also coming off a loss to the Magic in their last one. That loss to the Magic snapped a 16 game winning streak that the Cavs were on so they are going to be looking to bounce back in a big way here. The Clippers just don't have the talent to compete with a team like the Cavaliers and they are running into them at the wrong time off a loss. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cavaliers to cover the spread in this game.
Cavaliers Clippers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Cavaliers 119 Clippers 110.
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NBA Betting Trends
Cleveland Cavaliers: 67-39 ATS versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 36% of their attempts or more. 35-22 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 24-15 ATS on the road as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 24-17 OVER as a road favorite of 6 points or less. 39-20 OVER versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game.
Los Angeles Clippers: 11-17 ATS against Central division opponents. 26-33 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 18-28 ATS at home in the second half of the season. 8-3 OVER at home after a blowout win by 20 points or more.
Key Injuries
Cleveland Cavaliers: E. Mobley (PF) Day To Day - Foot.
Los Angeles Clippers: K. Dunn (PG) Out - Knee. J. Miller (SF) Out - Hip.
Notable Quotes
“You get turned over once, twice and it’s like blood in the water. They were just all over us and they picked up their physicality. Obviously, we didn’t respond.” - Kenny Atkinson after his team’s loss against the Magic in their game on Sunday.
“Just trying to fit all these pieces together. We have [14] games to do it, which is more than enough time if we just lock in and understand what we’re trying to do. So I’m excited about that challenge.” - Tyronn Lue after his team’s win against the Hornets in their game on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG Darius Garland
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Max Strus
PF Evan Mobley
C Jarrett Allen
Los Angeles Clippers
PG James Harden
SG Kris Dunn
SF Norman Powell
PF Kawhi Leonard
C Ivica Zubac
Statistical Leaders
Cleveland Cavaliers
PPG: D. Mitchell (24.2)
APG: D. Garland (6.7)
Reb/G: J. Allen (10.2)
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: N. Powell (23.4)
APG: J. Harden (8.7)
Reb/G: I. Zubac (12.5)
Coaches:
Cleveland Cavaliers: Kenny Atkinson (1st season)
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (5th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
