The Washington Wizards were entangled in a significant source of league-wide drama on Friday night but eventually sorted out the mess, and acquired Trevor Ariza on Saturday. On Sunday, we’ll see them take the court for the first time since that awkward situation took place as they’ll host the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers have won seven of nine but they haven’t been as successful against the spread. They’ve failed to cover four of their last six. They are just 5-11 ATS against teams with a losing record and 3-6 ATS in non-conference games.

The Wizards are and have been a train wreck all year as they’ve lost four straight and six of nine. They are 3-9 ATS against teams with a winning record and 2-6 ATS in games where the total is 230 or higher (as it is in this spot).

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers had a sour end to the work week as they lost to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. They were wiped off the floor in Houston by James Harden, who scored 50 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and handed out 11 assists in a majestic triple-double. However, they quickly put that behind them by thrashing the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night with a 128-100 win. The Lakers are now 16-6 since starting the season 2-5.

The main difference for the Lakers as been their defence as they are finally figuring out how to play together. They’ve allowed 106.7 points per game over their last nine contests. They ranked 23^rd in the NBA in defensive rating in October but are up to seventh in their last seven games. Stifling a Wizards squad that is coming apart at the seams shouldn’t be an issue.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards were the talk of the town on Twitter on Friday night as they were part of a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies which had Kelly Oubre leaving the Wizards and Trevor Ariza joining Washington. That trade failed because of a ‘miscommunication’. The Wizards regrouped and found another way to acquire Ariza. He’s actually a solid piece for this team had things been going well but the front office has already made it clear that they’re willing to break this team down for parts. The Wizards are a pathetic 11-18. Ariza isn’t going to turn them into a contender – or even a playoff team – all of the sudden.

The Wizards may have talent but they aren’t showing much effort these days – especially on defense. They are ranked second-last in the NBA in defensive rating (112.7) and are second-last in defensive rebounds per game. They’re allowing 119.4 points per game over their last five and that’s not going to change on Sunday.

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Washington

Jordan McRae (SG)

Out Tues Achilles - 07 / 04 / 19

Jeff Green (SF)

Prob Fri Hip - 04 / 04 / 19

Jeff Green (SF)

Out Wed Rest - 03 / 04 / 19

Jabari Parker (PF)

Out Tues Knee - 03 / 04 / 19

Devin Robinson (SF)

Prob Fri Hip - 29 / 03 / 19

Trevor Ariza (SF)

out for season Groin - 27 / 03 / 19

Trevor Ariza (SF)

Prob Tues Groin - 20 / 03 / 19

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Prob Sat Head - 15 / 03 / 19

Jordan McRae (SG)

Ques Fri Achilles - 14 / 03 / 19

Trevor Ariza (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 14 / 03 / 19

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Washington

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jordan McRae (SG)	Out Tues	Achilles - 07 / 04 / 19	0-2	1-1	+ -
McRae was held out of the last game with a sore left Achilles and will not be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Celtics.
Jeff Green (SF)	Prob Fri	Hip - 04 / 04 / 19	0-3	2-1	+ -
Green is likely to participate in Friday's game versus the Spurs despite a hip injury.
Jeff Green (SF)	Out Wed	Rest - 03 / 04 / 19	1-3	2-2	+ -
Green will receive a day of rest and will not be available for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
Jabari Parker (PF)	Out Tues	Knee - 03 / 04 / 19	1-3	2-2	+ -
Parker missed his second-consecutive game due to a left knee sprain and will not play against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Devin Robinson (SF)	Prob Fri	Hip - 29 / 03 / 19	3-3	4-2	+ -
Robinson missed his third-straight game with a left hip strain but it is anticipated that he will return against the Spurs on Friday.
Trevor Ariza (SF)	out for season	Groin - 27 / 03 / 19	3-5	5-3	+ -
Ariza sustained a strained left groin and is likely to sit out the remainder of the season.
Trevor Ariza (SF)	Prob Tues	Groin - 20 / 03 / 19	4-7	6-5	+ -
Ariza has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games with a left groin strain but is projected to suit up against the Lakers on Tuesday.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Prob Sat	Head - 15 / 03 / 19	6-8	7-7	+ -
Satoransky left the previous game with a head injury but is expected to lace up against the Grizzlies on Saturday.
Jordan McRae (SG)	Ques Fri	Achilles - 14 / 03 / 19	6-8	7-7	+ -
McRae is dealing with an Achilles injury and his availability for Friday's game against the Hornets is in question.
Trevor Ariza (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 14 / 03 / 19	6-8	7-7	+ -
Ariza is battling a sore right knee but is likely to be available against the Hornets on Friday.

Lakers vs. Wizards Prediction