The Brooklyn Nets (30-19 SU, 25-24 ATS) and Los Angeles Lakers (23-27, 24-24-2) collide at Barclays Center on Monday in their second and final meeting of the season.
The Lakers opened as the slim 1-point favorite on the road with the total set at 233 points. Los Angeles has won three of the last four meetings between the two teams, while Brooklyn comes in with a 12-4 record over its last 16 home games. Look to take the UNDER in this one as it’s gone 13-3 in the last 16 meetings between the two teams at Barclays Center.
Latest Betting Notes: Lakers
The Lakers dropped their last game on Saturday, falling 125-121 to the Boston Celtics in overtime. LeBron James had a monster performance with 41 points, nine boards and eight assists, while five others finished in double digits for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has been dealing with some injury issues, with Anthony Davis recently missing six weeks with a foot injury. Davis actually returned to the lineup last week but will sit out on Monday. To make matters worse, James has also been ruled out for the game with a lingering ankle issue, leaving the Lakers with a bare-bones lineup.
Latest Betting Notes: Nets
The Nets got back into the win column on Saturday by topping the New York Knicks 122-115. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 32 points while Nic Claxton (13 points, 12 rebounds) had a double-double as Brooklyn won for just the third time in its last nine outings.
Kevin Durant has been sidelined for three weeks now with a knee injury and it’s been the Irving show ever since. The point guard is averaging just under 30 points per game in January, while also adding 6.6 assists per contest – his highest rate of the season.
Ben Simmonds (knee) could join Durant on the sideline Monday as he’s listed as questionable.
The Keys to Victory: Lakers
It goes without saying that the Lakers are severely undermanned going into this matchup, missing both their top scorers. The team does have some solid depth as Russell Westbrook and four others in the lineup are averaging at least 12 points per game, but the lack of star power will definitely be hard to overcome – especially given that Los Angeles owns the fourth-worst defense in the NBA, allowing 118.1 points per game.
If the Lakers are going to win with their depleted lineup, Westbrook or someone like Dennis Schroder will need to put up an incredible performance.
The Keys to Victory: Nets
The Nets are missing their most important player as well but unlike the Lakers, they still have someone who can carry their offense in Irving. The star point guard has scored at least 30 points in six straight games, including two performances of 40-plus points.
Coming up against a weak defensive team in the Lakers, Irving should be able to have his way offensively and create plenty of looks for himself and his teammates. If Irving is able to take over like he’s done recently, Brooklyn should come out on top.
