The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a heartbreaker against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. After mounting a furious comeback, they saw Tobias Harris hit the game-winning shot practically at the buzzer.

The Lakers started the year 11-3 but are just 3-2 since. Are we seeing a little bit of a a turning of the tide with this team, or are they still the best in the Western Conference?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers are 5-1 against the spread in their past six road games against teams with a losing home record and it is looking good for this matchup as well. They have a fantastic roster from top to bottom and shouldn’t be missing a ton of players in this game. They face off with a Pistons team that has had trouble being consistent on the offensive end, something that the Lakers have been great at.

Meanwhile, the under is 6-0 in Detroit’s last six games when playing a team with a winning record and it could go under once again here. The Pistons don’t have a consistent offensive threat outside of Jerami Grant. Keep an eye on the rosters as the Lakers played last night. It’s entirely possible they decide to give LeBron James or Anthony Davis a rest.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the league this season, and much of that has to do with their superstar duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Each of them has missed time throughout the season, but the team is hopeful to get at least one of them ready for this game against the Pistons. James had 34 points, six rebounds and six assists on Wednesday night, while Anthony Davis had 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

They have also gotten terrific production out of a number of role players on their roster, including Dennis Schroeder, Talen Horton-Tucker, Marc Gasol and Kentavious Caldwell Pope. They are sixth in the league in terms of bench production at 38.8 points per game, so they can probably weather the storm if one of the stars is out.

Detroit Pistons

At 4-13, the Pistons are one of the worst teams in the league right now, so this looks like a prime spot for the Lakers to rest a star. They’re coming off a 122-107 loss on the road in Cleveland last night, so fatigue could be a factor for them as well.

Their biggest surprise this season has been Jerami Grant, who was picked up in free agency, as he has seemingly controlled their offence and has been their most consistent player. He’s scoring 24.3 points per game with 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. They are going to need him healthy and locked in for this matchup if they want to take down the reigning champions.

Their struggles have been mostly related to defence, as the Pistons are 27^th in the NBA in terms of opponent field goal percentage. They’re also incredibly sloppy with turnovers – second-worst – as they are coughing up 15.8 per game. If those two areas don’t improve, they’ll lose again.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Pistons?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

DET

Points	Jerami Grant 22.31
Assists	Cory Joseph 5.53
Rebounds	Mason Plumlee 9.27
FG%	Tyler Cook 68
Steals	Cory Joseph 1.16
Blocks	Isaiah Stewart 1.26

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

DET

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pistons Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

DET

Points	Jerami Grant 22.31
Assists	Cory Joseph 5.53
Rebounds	Mason Plumlee 9.27
FG%	Tyler Cook 68
Steals	Cory Joseph 1.16
Blocks	Isaiah Stewart 1.26

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

DET

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Detroit

Deividas Sirvydis (SF)

Doub Sun Leg - 15 / 05 / 21

Sekou Doumbouya (PF)

Out Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21

Isaiah Stewart (PF)

Out Sun Personal - 13 / 05 / 21

Mason Plumlee (PF)

Out Fri Rest - 13 / 05 / 21

Frank Jackson (PG)

Doub Sun Ankle - 10 / 05 / 21

Jerami Grant (SF)

Out Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 21

Mason Plumlee (PF)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 05 / 21

Wayne Ellington (SG)

Out Sun Calf - 09 / 05 / 21

Cory Joseph (PG)

Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21

Wayne Ellington (SG)

Ques Sat Calf - 07 / 05 / 21

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.

Detroit

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Deividas Sirvydis (SF)	Doub Sun	Leg - 15 / 05 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Sirvydis was forced from the previous game with a left leg injury, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday's showdown with the Heat.
Sekou Doumbouya (PF)	Out Sun	Personal - 14 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Doumbouya missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not lace up against the Heat on Sunday.
Isaiah Stewart (PF)	Out Sun	Personal - 13 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Stewart was held out of the previous game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not be active against the Heat on Sunday.
Mason Plumlee (PF)	Out Fri	Rest - 13 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Plumlee will not suit up against the Nuggets on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Frank Jackson (PG)	Doub Sun	Ankle - 10 / 05 / 21	0-3	0-3	+ -
Jackson has missed the last two contests with a right ankle injury, and it unlikely that he will take the court to battle the Heat on Sunday.
Jerami Grant (SF)	Out Sun	Knee - 09 / 05 / 21	0-4	1-3	+ -
Grant has missed the previous three games due to a sore right knee, and he will not dress for Sunday's contest against the Heat.
Mason Plumlee (PF)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 05 / 21	0-4	1-3	+ -
Plumlee will not be in the lineup on Sunday against the Bulls, as he will be given a day of rest.
Wayne Ellington (SG)	Out Sun	Calf - 09 / 05 / 21	0-4	1-3	+ -
Ellington has sat out the last three contests with calf soreness, and he will not lace up for Sunday's matchup against the Heat.
Cory Joseph (PG)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21	0-4	1-3	+ -
Joseph has been absent from the last three contests due to an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Wayne Ellington (SG)	Ques Sat	Calf - 07 / 05 / 21	1-4	1-4	+ -
Ellington is dealing with a calf injury, and it is unknown if he will face the 76ers on Saturday.