Lakers vs. Nets Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
It’s East Coast versus West Coast as the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers are in Brooklyn to take on the Nets.
With Kevin Durant back in the lineup to take on an L.A. team missing LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Nets are heavy 11-point favourites to win on the NBA odds with a total of 222.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Brooklyn will be looking to sweep the two-game season series after picking up a 109-98 win in L.A. on Feb. 18. Without Anthony Davis in the lineup, LeBron put up a game-high 32 points in the loss. The Nets were missing Kevin Durant, so James Harden stepped up with a double-double.
Los Angeles has struggled since LeBron’s ankle injury. The Lakers have lost six of their last 10 games and 12 of their last 18 games against East teams. They’re also lacking an offensive kick and haven’t hit the Over in nine of their last 12 games. L.A. is 25-27 against the spread overall and have covered in 14 of 25 road games this year.
With the return of Kevin Durant to the lineup, things are looking much better for Brooklyn lately. The Nets have won eight of their last 10 games overall and are riding a nine-game winning streak at home. They’ve been an Under team in seven of their last 10 games. Like the Lakers, Brooklyn is 25-27 ATS. They’ve covered in 13 straight games against Pacific Division teams.
Los Angeles Lakers
Even without LeBron and Anthony Davis, the Lakers still have one of the strongest defences in the league. They give up an average of 105.9 points per game, second-best in the NBA and they are also top-10 in field goal percentage allowed (45.4 per cent), 3-point percentage allowed (35) and rebounds (41.9). The offence hasn’t handled LeBron and AD’s departure as well as the defence. L.A. is 23rd in points per game (109.9), 23rd in 3-point percentage (35.3) and 25th in free throw percentage (74.4).
Dennis Schroder is going to be the biggest piece of this offence until L.A.’s two superstars are back in the lineup. Schroder has been one of the better offensive players lately. The off-season acquisition has averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He also leads the Lakers with 1.2 steals per contest. Schroder was brought in for his playmaking ability and his scoring touch. He’ll need to step up both to turn things around in the City of Angels.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is not exactly what you would call a defensively responsible team, but when you score like the Nets do, defence is apparently optional. They’re averaging league-high’s in points per game (119) and field goal percentage (49.4) and are No. 2 in 3-point percentage (39.2). Kevin Durant in seventh in league scoring, averaging 28.4 points per game. Right behind Durant, is Kyrie Irving at No. 8 with 27.9 ppg. James Harden averages a league-high 10.9 assists per game, but he’ll miss Saturday’s matchup with a hamstring strain.
This will be Kevin Durant’s game to make a statement. He’s back. Durant looked strong on Wednesday, returning to the lineup after missing 23 games. He finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes of action in a 139-111 rout of the Pelicans. Easing him into the lineup on Wednesday likely means he’ll see bigger minutes in this game. It’s Saturday night at home against the Lakers and Durant loves a big stage.
LAL
BK