The 29-34 Brooklyn Nets head west to face the 49-13 Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. This is a game that, on its surface, might not sound entertaining, but since both teams are coming off wins, we can expect it to be worth the watch.
The Lakers have already clinched their playoff berth and claimed Los Angeles as their own after their 112-103 win over the LA Clippers. Considering they’ve already snagged a playoff spot and are on a four-game win streak, what chances do the Brooklyn Nets have at covering?
The Brooklyn Nets sit as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and could potentially make their way into the playoffs, barring a losing streak. With a tough four-game road stretch starting with the Lakers, the Nets will have to buckle down if they want to claim a playoff spot.
The Lakers come in as heavy 12-point favorites and the over/under set at 223.5. With the Brooklyn Nets on a two-game win streak, can they cover against LeBron & Co.? Or will the Lakers show out yet again in Staples Center? Let’s look at both teams and make our pick.
Brooklyn Nets, looking for a huge road win
It might be far fetched, but the Brooklyn Nets have the opportunity to pull off a huge win Tuesday night if they’re able to upset the Los Angeles Lakers. On the surface, most would think that the Nets couldn’t pull this upset off, but they have contended with some of the better teams in the league.
One upset of note was their 129-120 OT win over the Boston Celtics, the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
In the game against Boston, it was Caris LeVert that took the Brooklyn Nets over the top, scoring 37 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. To put up any resistance against the No. 1 team in the West, the Nets will need to produce the same intensity.
The last time they faced off against the Lakers, though, didn’t go according to plan for the Nets. Losing 128-113 at home and failing to cover the +5.5 point spread. This time they have to travel to Staples Center, a place where Los Angeles has only lost seven games.
Against the spread, the Brooklyn Nets sit below .500 at 30-33, in their last 10 games, they’ve gone 4-6 ATS. One important trend to note is the Nets 3-8 ATS record in their last 11 games versus the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers, starting home stretch with Brooklyn
After taking down the Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers won’t have to travel at all to prepare for the Brooklyn Nets. Claiming their dominance in the Western Conference along with being crowned the kings of Los Angeles, the Lakers are red-hot right now.
Although they already have a playoff berth locked up, it isn’t like LeBron & Co. to let their foot off the gas, especially at home.
They’ll start their three-game home stretch against the Brooklyn Nets; it’s important to get a win in this one considering who comes to town next.
Following the Nets, the Lakers will have to host two Western Conference contenders, the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets.
One thing to consider, however, is whether or not they’ll start resting LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Of course, there is plenty of basketball left to be played, but with a playoff spot already clinched, it’s safe to say load management will be implemented soon. Neither of them has popped up on the injury report yet, but it would most likely be a game-time decision, so keep that in mind when betting.
It would make more sense for the organization to rest them in this game and have them play in the last two home games against the Rockets and Nuggets as well.
The Lakers have played well against the spread, with an overall record of 35-26-1. Even better news, they’ve gone 6-1 ATS in their last seven games, five of which went under.
A trend worth noting is that although the last six of the Lakers nine games against the Eastern Conference have gone over. Thirteen of their last 19 games against Brooklyn have gone under.
Pick and Prediction
Beating the Los Angeles Lakers is hard enough when they come to you. Traveling from New York to them knowing that Los Angeles has basically been home for the last week makes it near impossible.
Although the Nets have been able to contend with some of the better teams in the league, playoff LeBron has been activated, and the Nets don’t have enough firepower to stop him. I do, however, think that the Nets 18th ranked defense will be able to do enough to keep the score from getting out of hand.
Look for the Los Angeles Lakers to start their home stretch with a win, covering the spread with the total going under. Lakers -12, under.
