Nets vs. Lakers Odds
| Nets Odds | -4.5 |
| Lakers Odds | +4.5 |
| Over/Under | 218 (-110/-110) |
| Time | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBA TV |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here. | |
The Brooklyn Nets will face the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that should have more playoff implications than it does.
The disappointing Lakers will be without LeBron James as he deals with an abductor injury for the second-straight game.
Meanwhile, the surging Nets will look to extend their ATS streak after firing head coach Steve Nash and suspending superstar Kyrie Irving at the beginning of November.
Can the Nets keep the streak alive against a lackluster Lakers squad that will be without their best player?
Brooklyn Nets
Despite a very slow start, the Nets look like they’ve begun to turn things around. Since firing Nash and suspending Irving, they’ve gone 3-1 (4-0 ATS).
Surprise, surprise. All the Nets needed in order to start winning was to fire their ineffectual head coach and eliminate an enormous locker room distraction and team chemistry nightmare.
Nash was fired on November 1st, which was also the last game Irving played. Since then, the biggest difference in Brooklyn’s play has been its defense.
In the month of October, the Nets had the second-worst Defensive Rating in the league (119.1), according to NBA Advanced Stats.
In the month of November — since Nash’s firing and with just one game with Irving — they have the best Defensive Rating in the league (98.3).
The only team close to the Nets defensively has been the Atlanta Hawks. And they haven’t even been that close, allowing nearly four more points per 100 possessions.
The Nets can also boast the best defensive lineup in the league. As a unit, Edmond Sumner, Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant and Nicolas Claxton have the best Defensive eFG% (85.6), Defensive Points/Possession (41.4%) and overall Differential (+34.6).
Meanwhile, their offense has stayed pretty much the same, with only a minor drop-off of .5 points per 100 possessions in Irving’s absence.
Irving is an undeniably talented offensive player and I wouldn’t say they’re better without him, but reports came out last Wednesday that Irving regularly ignored plays called by Nash.
The distraction of Irving’s presence has significantly outweighed his on-court production and the Nets feel like they’re finally finding their groove.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ issues continue to manifest themselves.
Like Brooklyn, Los Angeles has completely flipped their defensive identity since the start of the season. However, for the Lakers, that means a change from great to horrible.
Despite an abysmal offense, one very faint bright spot for the early Lakers’ season was their elite defense.
In the month of October, the Lakers ranked second in Defensive Rating (104.7) and ninth in Defensive Rebounding Percentage (73.3).
In November, they have the second-worst Defensive Rating (118.6), behind the Rockets, and a below-average Defensive Rebounding Percentage (71.6).
Their offense has also improved a bit since Russell Westbrook moved to a bench role. That has opened up the paint for James and Anthony Davis.
However, James will likely miss his second straight game with an abductor injury. This is a huge blow to the Lakers, who lost to the Kings on Friday, their fifth-straight loss.
Despite James’ absence, the Lakers played well in the first half, but blew a 60-56 lead and eventually lost 114-120, failing to cover as 4.5-point home underdogs.
The Lakers have actually been a good team in the first half this season (7-5 ATS, 5-2 at home), which is surprising considering their atrocious full game record (2-10 SU/ATS).
This must mean they’re getting absolutely killed in the second half, right? Yes, that’s exactly what it means.
The Lakers haven’t outscored their opponent in the second half since their first win of the season against the Denver Nuggets on October 30th.
Nets-Lakers Pick
There are a few ways I’ll be looking to bet this game, a few of which will be in-game.
I have a heavy lean to Brooklyn as the Nets opened as three-point favorites at most books. However, I'd make the Nets 5.5-point favorites from raw numbers, discounting the game spot.
The Nets are on a back-to-back and will be playing their fourth game since Monday, having flown from Dallas to Brooklyn to Los Angeles in that span. I will likely bet the Nets regardless, but this is their first back-to-back since early in the season and I’ll wait to see if Kevin Durant sits out. If Durant suits up, it’s a go.
I also lean under in the game, but the Lakers have been playing to the over since their defense has regressed and their Pace has stayed in the top two.
However, both these teams are under teams in the second half and I’ll be looking for in-game opportunities to capitalize. I’m guessing the Lakers will keep it close at half since they’re a good 1H team and if they do, I’ll look to bet on the Nets in the second half.
I’ll also look to an in-game under if we see the total reach more than five points above the closing line.
Pick:Live bet the Under if it gets five or more points higher than the closing line. | Live bet the Nets if they're down at halftime.
