The Los Angeles Lakers (23-27, 10-15 away) continue their East Coast swing with a Monday night showdown against the Brooklyn Nets (30-19, 14-8 home). The two teams met out west earlier this season with the Lakers dropping the Nets, 116-103 at home.
Monday’s inter-conference showdown tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is an 8.5-point favorite, and the over/under total is 232.5 points.
What to Know – Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Saturday in Boston in a 125-121 overtime defeat to the Celtics. Los Angeles won three of its last four games before heading east for a five-game road swing. The Lakers remain outside of the playoff picture as the calendar switches to February.
Los Angeles is fifth in the NBA in scoring, pouring in 117.1 points per game. The Lakers shoot 48.2% from the floor and 33.6% from beyond the arc. On defense, Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league allowing 118.1 ppg, 47.2% shooting from the field, and 34.7% shooting from deep.
Late Sunday night it was announced the Lakers would be without the services of their two leading scorers for Monday’s contest. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will rest, leaving the Lakers short-handed offensively.
Los Angeles is 24-24-2 against the spread and 11-13-1 ATS away from home. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS over their last five contests.
What to Know – Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn returns to action after knocking off the New York Knicks on Saturday in 122-115 victory. The Nets are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, five games behind the leading Boston Celtics.
Offensively, the Nets sit in the middle of the pack scoring 114.4 points per game while hitting 51.0% of their shots from the field and 39.4% from the 3-point line. Brooklyn showcases a top 10 defense, limiting opponents to 111.7 ppg, 45.4% shooting from the floor and 36.8% shooting from three.
Kevin Durant remains sidelined leaving the Nets offensive in the hands of Kyrie Irving. Ben Simmons is questionable for Monday’s tilt, but the rest of the Brooklyn lineup should be ready to go for the showdown with the Lakers.
The Nets own a 25-24 record ATS on the year and a 10-12 record ATS on their home floor. Brooklyn is 8-3 ATS over its previous 11 matchups against opponents from the Western Conference.
The Pick is In
Sorry to the fans attending the contest who were expecting to see James and Davis play. Three of the best players in the league will be sitting on the sidelines, putting a damper on what would have been a star-studded contest in Brooklyn.
Without the services of the Lakers’ top two scorers, it is hard to imagine a scenario where Los Angeles is able to get anything done offensively against one of the league’s top defensive units. Brooklyn puts it on the Lakers b-squad early and evens the season series against Los Angeles.
The Pick: Brooklyn Nets -8.5
