Lakers (28-17) vs. Cavs (28-20) | Game 46 of 82

WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME

Location: Rocket Arena—Cleveland, Ohio

Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW

The Lakers continue their largest road trip of the season in their fifth straight road game, taking on the Cavaliers for the first time this year. 

The Cavs have been hot as of late, coming in on a four-game win streak and a huge 16-point win over the Magic on Monday. Cleveland has won seven of their last eight games and hold a 16-11 record at home.

The Lakers are coming off two straight road wins against Dallas and Chicago, who both had won four straight games going into their matchup against Los Angeles. They can continue that trend with a win in Cleveland.

The Lakers are 3-1 on the road trip and have won four of their last five games. The Lakers are coming off an all-around 11-point win over the Bulls on Monday behind Luka Dončić notching 46 points on a season-high eight 3s.

Dončić had arguably his best outing passing the ball as well, with multiple Magic-Johnson-like passes on his way to 11 assists on the night. It was the 23rd time this season he finished with a double-double and the eighth time he had over 40 points.

The Lakers — who sit fifth in the West at 28-17 — will be tested against a depleted Cavs team that sit fourth in the East with a 28-20 record. The Lakers are 10-9 this season against teams over .500.

Cleveland’s offense is spearheaded by Donovan Mitchell, who is having an elite All-Star season, averaging 29.5 points per game for fifth most in the NBA, while also leading the team in assists (5.8) and steals (1.5). Mitchell has led the Cavs in scoring in eight of the last 10 games and is coming off a 45-point showing against the Magic.

So we will see a clash of Dončić and Mitchell in Cleveland. FUN!

With Darius Garland set to miss his seventh consecutive game due to a right great toe sprain, Mitchell will continue to be the Cavs’ primary scorer and facilitator. Jaylon Tyson has been an emerging young talent in place of Garland with 14 ppg and a team-high 46% shooting from 3 in 28 starts this season.

The Cavaliers will also be without Evan Mobley, who is expected to miss at least one week with a calf injury, removing a key interior presence on both ends of the floor. In his absence, Jarrett Allen (13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds) becomes the focal point in the paint against Deandre Ayton, while Cleveland leans more heavily on wing depth and Mitchell’s shot-making to generate offense. 

Despite the injuries, the Cavs are fourth in the NBA in scoring, but the absences of Garland and Mobley significantly alter their offensive balance and defensive identity.

NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA

The Cavs have the 9th-rated offense (116.4) and the 12th-rated defense (113.8) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:

Cleveland currently sits:

De’Andre Hunter (right knee): Probable

Darius Garland (toe): Out

Sam Merrill (right hand): Probable

Evan Mobley (calf): Out

Luke Travers (hamstring): Day-to-day

Max Strus (foot): Out

The Lakers will wear their gold uniform on the road, while the Cavs will wear their navy blue 2007 alternate jersey.

The Lakers will continue their eight-game road trip in Washington on Friday against the Wizards.