Lakers vs. Nets: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Lakers vs. Nets Odds
| Lakers Odds | +9.5 |
| Nets Odds | -9.5 |
| Over/Under | 230 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 30 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | NBA TV |
The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets will begin the new week at the Barclays Center at 7:30 p.m. EST. Entering play, Los Angeles (23-27) owns the third-worst record in the Western Conference. Brooklyn (30-19) owns the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. Ahead of tip-off, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been ruled out, resulting in the Nets being priced as 9-point home favorites on the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
James, Davis OUT
Through the first 50 games of their schedule, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the Lakers’ top-two scoring threats, averaging 30.2 points and 26.7 points per game, respectively. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the fifth percentile in offensive efficiency and the fifth percentile in defensive efficiency when both of their co-stars are off of the court at the same time this year. Expect this group to struggle on the road this evening.
Who will step up for the Lakers?
Per CourtIQ, Dennis Schroder (+6.7%) and Russell Westbrook (+6.5%) see the largest increase on the Lakers’ roster when James and Davis are not on the floor. In these situations, Westbrook is averaging 23.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per 36 minutes of action. Schroder is averaging 22.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per 36 minutes. Both players are likely to see expanded workloads on Monday against the Nets.
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Brooklyn Nets
Durant OUT
Since Kevin Durant last played on Jan. 8, Brooklyn is 3-6 overall and has been outscored by 3.6 points per 100 possessions. During that stretch, they have impressive wins over the Knicks, Warriors, and Jazz. However, they also have embarrassing losses to the Pistons and Spurs.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Nets rank in the 91st percentile in offensive efficiency and the 72nd percentile in defensive efficiency this season with Durant on the floor, compared to the 26th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 46th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Nic Claxton emerging as a reliable contributor
In Durant’s absence, Nic Claxton has become a threat on the offensive end of the floor, averaging 18.9 points on 77.4% shooting. He has also contributed 11.1 rebounds per game in that span, with seven double-doubles in his last eight games entering play on Monday.
According to CourtIQ, Claxton is averaging 18.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per 36 minutes of action with Durant off of the court this year. Assuming Claxton can stay out of foul trouble tonight, he is likely to put together another strong performance.
Lakers vs. Nets – Picks & Predictions
Despite the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers do not deserve to be near double-digit underdogs in this spot on Monday. In Brooklyn’s three wins with Durant out of the lineup during January, they have won by seven points, four points, and 11 points – with the 11-point coming in a game that was tied heading into the fourth quarter. It would be surprising to see Los Angeles pull an outright upset tonight, but they are more than capable of keeping this game competitive against a Brooklyn team that has not been able to dominate any of their last nine opponents. Take the points here.
PICK: Lakers +9.5 (-115, MGM)
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