Lakers vs Nets Odds, Lines & Picks (Jan. 30)
Lakers vs Nets Injury Report
Both James and Davis were in the lineup for LA’s 125-121 OT loss to Boston on Saturday, a contest where the Lakers were victims of a no-call at the end of regulation. LeBron was clearly fouled in the dying seconds with the game tied at 105 by Jayson Tatum, and should have had an opportunity to win the game at the free throw line.
The referee’s union admitted the blown call at the end of the game, but that doesn’t help James and the Lakers at all. With LA set to face the Knicks on Tuesday, LeBron will rest his sore ankle on Monday. Davis meanwhile, has played the last two games after missing the previous 20 with a foot injury, but will take Monday night off as well.
LA is just 4-6 without James this season, and 1-3 in the four games both he and Davis have missed. The Lakers have been outscored by 49 points in those outings, dropping all three of the contests that were on the road by double-figures.
KD remains out for the Nets, but he’s not the only absence Brooklyn may be forced to deal with. Starting power forward Ben Simmons is questionable with a knee injury, while his backup T.J. Warren is doubtful with a lower leg issue.
Durant has missed the last nine games, with Brooklyn posting a 3-6 record during that stretch. They rank 19th in offensive rating without their NBA MVP odds candidate, and 18th in defensive rating.
Lakers vs Nets Predictions
The Nets have actually shown signs of life recently without KD, winning three of their past five. Kyrie Irving has been at the forefront of the success, averaging 37.6 points per game. He’s fresh off a 32 point effort in a victory over the Knicks, after splashing 48 points in his previous outing.
Brooklyn has averaged 122.8 points per outing over its last five, and should find success versus a Lakers defense missing one of its top rim protectors in Davis. LA ranks 20th on the season in defensive rating, and are surrendering 122 points against per outing without both James and AD.
The Lakers have failed to cover in three of four games without their top two stars and they’ll be in an uphill battle to stay competitive in this matchup.
Brooklyn is fresh off its most complete game without Durant, one that saw all five starters score in double-figures. The team shot 52% from the field and 55% from three against New York, and if they bring that type of balance versus LA they’ll run them out of the building.
Laying 9 points is never a comfortable feeling, but this version of the Lakers offense can’t possibly be expected to keep pace with many teams. Not a single player outside of LeBron and AD average over 15 points per game, and only Thomas Bryant shoots north of 48%. LA has been blown out three times already with their stars, and we should expect it to happen again on Monday.
