The Brooklyn Nets (21-9) visit the newly-renamed Crypto.com Arena for a Christmas evening game with the Los Angeles Lakers (16-17) at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nets vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Brooklyn had its four-game winning streak snapped with a 100-93 loss to the Orlando Magic Saturday. The last three Nets’ games have been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within Brooklyn.
The Nets are 4-1 straight-up (SU), 3-2 ATS and 3-2 O/U with the seventh-best non-garbage time net rating over the past two weeks (plus-5.1 points per 100 possessions), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).
L.A. is on a four-game losing skid including three blowout losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs.
Since Dec. 9, the Lakers are 3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS and 2-6 O/U with the 25th-ranked non-garbage time net rating (minus-5.8 points per 100 possessions), per CTG.
Nets at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:19 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Lakers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nets +1.5 (-108) | Lakers -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Nets at Lakers key injuries
Nets
- C LaMarcus Aldridge (health and safety protocols) out
- G David Duke Jr. (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Kevin Durant (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Kessler Edwards (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Joe Harris (ankle) out
- PG Kyrie Irving (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Cam Thomas (health and safety protocols) out
Lakers
- SF Trevor Ariza (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Kent Bazemore (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Avery Bradley (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Anthony Davis (knee) out
- PF LeBron James (abdomen) probable
- SG Malik Monk (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Austin Reaves (health and safety protocols) out
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Nets at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 114, Nets 107
Money line
Brooklyn received good news when it was announced second-year guard James Harden is cleared from the health and safety protocols, but the Nets still have seven players on the COVID-19 list.
Both teams are playing with MASH units, but the LAKERS (-125) have fewer missing pieces. Christmas is the NBA’s largest regular-season stage and we know James will give an inspired performance. He needs 13 points to break Kobe Bryant’s all-time Christmas scoring record.
We have seen the same Harden this season that won an MVP with the Houston Rockets in 2017-18. According to CTG, Harden grades in the 37th percentile of guards in on/off net rating (minus-3.7 points per 100 possessions).
The Nets have been steamed up from +100 underdogs up to the current price despite missing perhaps the best player in the sport in Durant.
Granted, the Lakers are without Davis and several role players, but James and PG Russell Westbrook should be able to make up for those absences in this big prime-time spot.
It appears that the market is reacting to how disappointing L.A. has been to start this season. But with the Nets being the most affected team by COVID-19, the LAKERS (-125) are the right bet.
Against the spread
PASS since Los Angeles -1.5 (-112) doesn’t offer much insurance for our L.A. money line wager. The Nets are 3-11-1 ATS as road underdogs while the Lakers are 5-11 ATS as home favorites.
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 224.5 (-107) for a tiny wager if at all because the Lakers have the 25th-ranked offensive rating at home. Plus, the Nets get out in transition less with Harden on the floor and Brooklyn’s offense will flow through Harden with KD and Kyrie out.
However, I’m much more confident in L.A.’s money line than the UNDER 224.5 (-107).
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