Lakers vs. Nets Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Jeremy Perry
The Los Angeles Lakers have not been able to consistently or convincingly shed their problems and bad habits when playing on the road. Their current road trip started with a 15-point loss at Houston, then they rebounded with an impressive 28-point win at Charlotte, but on Sunday, they were easily handled 128-110 by the flailing Washington Wizards. Can they get it together on Tuesday against a Brooklyn Nets that’s surprisingly won five in a row?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers have just two covers in their last seven games. They often face inflated lines given that LeBron James is on the roster. They are 15-8 straight up (SU) as a favorite this year but just 9-13-1 against the spread (ATS) in those contests. They are just 4-12 ATS against teams with a losing record. The Nets have won five in a row and while three of the wins were against cupcakes, they also beat Philadelphia (on the road) and Toronto (at home). They’ve covered six straight. They are 12-7 ATS this season when the total is 220 or higher.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers ran into a night in Washington on Sunday when lots of players were off their game. Their starting lineup was just 2-for-18 on threes. Lonzo Ball was 2-of-7 from three-point range, Kyle Kuzma was 0-for-4 on threes, Josh Hart was 0-for-5 and LeBron James finished 5-of-16 from the field for only 13 points – a season-low. This has been a steady issue for the team as they shoot 36.8 percent from the beyond the arc at home (eighth best) compared to 33.3 percent on the road (ninth worst).
The Lakers were bad on defence as well. Washington shot 51 percent overall. It’s the fourth time in the Lakers last six road games that their opponent has allowed at least 117 points or more. The Nets have scored at least 120 in each of their last three, so the Lakers defence has to be strong in this one. The good news is the Lakers have won 16 of the last 20 meetings between the teams, including eight of 12 in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets put together a complete offensive performance against Atlanta on Sunday, scoring 144 points while hitting 56 percent from the field. D’Angelo Russell scored 32 points and seven other Nets scored in double figures. A lot of bettors like to go against this Nets team because they don’t have any big superstars but they have a young roster that’s play well right now. They have six players who average double-figures. To put that in perspective, the Lakers only have four. The Nets are even playing without leading scorer Caris LeVert. The Nets’ backcourt of Spencer Dinwiddie and D’Angelo Russell are on fire right now. Dinwiddie is averaging 22.5 points per game over his last seven while Russell is pouring in 19.6 points in that same span. It’s just a matter of which Lakers defence shows up. Considering they were shredded in their last game, they should rebound in this one.
