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Anthony Davis injury update: December 31 vs. Cavaliers

Anthony Davis injury update: December 31 vs. Cavaliers

NBA DraftKings Network News Rail

Published:

By: Alex Hunter

After initially being listed as questionable with an ankle injury, Lakers PF/C Anthony Davis has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday’s matchup with the Cavaliers, while LeBron James (illness) remains questionable. James missed Saturday’s win over the Kings and has missed three of the Lakers’ last eight games.

Davis dominated with James out Saturday, posting 36 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists (67.75 FPTS). Davis’ usage rises 4.8 percentage points to 35.9% with James off the court this season. If the veteran remains out Tuesday, Davis will be an appealing spend for DFS and a player to consider for overs on his player props. With James off the floor, Davis is producing 1.6 FPTS per minute and 30.4 points per 36 minutes.

Austin Reaves would be another player who would benefit greatly if James sat, especially with D’Angelo Russell traded to the Nets earlier this week. After recording a triple-double vs. the Warriors on Christmas, Reaves kept his foot on the gas and posted 26 points, 16 assists and six rebounds with James inactive Saturday. With LeBron and Russell off the floor this season, Reaves’ usage and assist rates rise 8.6 and 14.1 percentage points, respectively, and he scores 1.3 FPTS per minute. Furthermore, Reaves averages 24 points and 8.3 assists per 36 minutes with James and Russell off the floor this season.

The Lakers are 2-1 with James inactive this season and they are a five-point underdog vs. the Cavaliers on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday.

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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

Alex Hunter
Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player and sports handicapper, who has been a proud member of the DraftKings Network team since 2020. He is a data-driven analyst, who earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has been in the sports content business for nearly a decade, covering the NBA, NFL and PGA TOUR. Alex is a diehard Boston Celtics fan, who loves to be on the golf course when he isn’t grinding lineups or producing content. For all of Alex’s work or if you need any lineup advice, be sure to follow him @Hunta512 on X.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.