Obviously, anytime Cleveland is at home, you have to look at LeBron’s boys first.

Not only are the Cavs a ridiculous 34-1 straight up at home, but they are also 24-11 against the spread at the Q.

The Cavs’ home dominance is obvious to oddmakers, too. They are making bettors pay a heftier price to play the Cavs at home. It’s added value to the underdog visitors.

Cleveland has covered only once in its last six home games. That one cover came in Friday’s 22-point victory over Minnesota. Now, the Cavs get a shot at the banged-up Mavericks, who were without Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Devean George and Jerry Stackhouse in Friday’s loss to Denver.

Kidd says his sore back will be ready to go Sunday. That’s good news for Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who says Kidd’s ability to play is by far the most important factor for the Mavs. "It's pretty obvious what Jason Kidd means to our team," Carlisle told the Dallas Morning News after the loss to Nuggets. "We don't give up 56 percent [shooting] if he's on the floor. It's as simple as that. Kidd has such a great impact on our team, it's just unreal."

Howard, who missed the last 11 games with an ankle injury, is expected to return, if not Sunday, sometime this week. Be careful not to over-value Howard’s impact. Although he scores 18 points a game, the Mavericks have gone 7-4 against the spread without him. Stackhouse and George are not expected to play.

Cleveland also has some injury concerns. All-Star point guard Mo Williams sprained his right pinky in the fourth quarter and was unable to play. X-rays were negative, and Williams said he would be ready to go Sunday. LeBron James also could be a little sore Sunday. He collapsed at mid-court after Minnesota’s Jason Collins close-lined him on a drive in the third quarter. James called the flagrant foul borderline dirty, but finished the game.

All five Cavalier starters scored in double digits for the second game in a row, as Cleveland notched its 11 straight victory.

To make things more difficult for the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki has struggled against the Cavs. Nowitzki has been held under 20 points in his last three games against Cleveland. He had just eight points in 19-point loss at home to the Cavaliers in November.

With 10 games remaining, Cleveland is in good shape to claim home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Cavs own a five-game edge over Orlando and Boston for the top seed in the East.

But their lead over the Lakers for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs is only one. The Mavericks are the more desperate team. They are clinging to the final playoff berth in the West, leading the Suns by just three games.

Dallas has been an excellent bet coming off a loss. The Mavs have covered seven of their last eight following a straight up loss.

David Payne writes for Ben Burns.

Get the winner of this game at the Guaranteed Picks Page.