With LeBron resting vs Rockets, think twice about betting Cleveland

This will be the 16th time since returning to Cleveland in 2014-15, James has missed a game due to injury or rest and the Cavaliers haven’t just struggled when the four-time MVP is out of the lineup, they have been downright awful, especially when it comes to covering the spread.

The last time James missed a game was a Mar. 15 home game versus Dallas, in which the Cavs did manage to squeak out a 99-98 win, but were unable to cover the 5.5-point chalk. The Cavaliers opened that game as high as -10 before James was ruled out. The finish made Cleveland a putrid 2-13 against the spread and 3-12 straight up without James.

The news LeBron missing tonight’s game came out early, thus the Cavs opened as slight 1.5-point favorites over the Rockets and has actually moved to Cleveland -2.  Seventy-seven percent of wagers are on Cleveland according to our Covers Consensus.

Additionally, the Cavaliers have been a money under bet when LeBron sits out, with the Under going 13-2 in those 15 games. Tonight’s total sits 211.5.