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    Cavaliers vs. Bulls Wednesday NBA injury report, odds: Lonzo Ball out, Alex Caruso likely back; Cleveland can already exceed season betting win total

    If you bet Over the Cavaliers' NBA win total this season, you could be a winner already Wednesday night.
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    It's important to note that different sportsbooks have different numbers when it comes to NBA season win totals, but for the most part the Cleveland Cavaliers were set at either 27 or 27.5 victories entering this year. Over bettors may be able to cash that already tonight as the surprising Cavs (27-18) are 3-point favorites at short-handed Chicago.

    Cleveland's JB Bickerstaff is a +400 second-favorite for NBA Coach of the Year and one could argue he should be favored with the Cavs potentially battling for the top seed in the East despite losing arguably their best player, guard Collin Sexton, to a season-ending injury in early November.

    Evan Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has been terrific and is the -155 favorite for Rookie of the Year. Mobley has scored in double figures in a career-best 12 straight games. Guard Darius Garland is a +1000 third-favorite to win Most Improved Player. Garland and Nikola Jokic are the only players in the NBA averaging 19.0+ PPG, 7.0+ APG and .460+ FG%. The Cavs have the league's best against the spread record at 29-13-3 (69.1 cover percentage).

    Cleveland will be without two guards tonight in Lamar Stevens and trade acquisition Rajon Rondo, but neither is a huge loss. The Cavs are on a five-game winning streak, including signature victories over the Jazz and Nets. The Cavs have also won 4 straight road games and are 15-9 away.

    Tonight will be the first game back in Chicago for Cleveland forward Lauri Markkanen, who was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Bulls (technically Minnesota but part of a pre-arranged trade) and at one point considered one of the franchise's key building blocks but discarded this offseason. 

    Chicago is quite short-handed with All-Star Zach LaVine and point guard Lonzo Ball among those out, but guard and defensive dynamo Alex Caruso is listed as probable. He hasn't played since Dec. 20 first due to injury and then COVID protocols. Caruso is expected to be under a minutes restriction initially. The Bulls are on a season-high four-game losing streak -- now tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference with Miami -- in large part because they are a bit thinned-out.

    Cleveland won the lone meeting this season at home, 115-92 on Dec. 8. Garland had 24 points and Mobley 16 points and nine rebounds. LaVine led the Bulls with 23 points. DeMar DeRozan missed it but is healthy now.

    Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total, and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss the Early Edge specials and live shows! 

    Matt SeveranceSeverance Pays

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