If you like train wrecks, tune in to see the Los Angeles Lakers as 1.5-point road favorites in Chicago tonight. LA hobbles into the Windy City without Tyson Chandler, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and potentially Kyle Kuzma and is 2-9 SU and 1-10 ATS in its last 11. Meanwhile, the Bulls, still looking for their 20th win of the season, are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five.
Standout Stats
- The Lakers are 2-9 SU and 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games. Even though it seems that LeBron James has visibly quit on this season, he’s still putting up points and had a triple-double last game. Still, though, things are just a disaster for Luke Walton right now. The Lakers have a -8.3 point differential during this stretch, No. 29 in the league.
- Opponents are scoring 120 points per game vs LA during its last 11 games, tying the Lakers for the worst scoring defense in the NBA. Meanwhile, Chicago’s opponents are scoring 118 points per game during the same stretch.
- Sticking with the aforementioned time frame, the Bulls have the No. 8 scoring offense in the Association at 115.9 points per game, which is 11 points higher than their season average and 4.2 points better than LA’s scoring average.
- LeBron played 31 minutes vs Denver and 28 minutes vs Boston after the Lakers announced he would play fewer minutes down the stretch. Ironically, he was above 30 points in both games. Despite this, LA will be playing without three of its top five scorers if Kuzma can’t go.
- LA had 9.3 steals per game in October. They have 3.6 steals per game in March. This number has consistently come down through the season, illustrating a more passive, less committed defense. This aligns with LA having one of the worst scoring defenses in the NBA.
- In March, the Bulls are scoring the most points they’ve scored all year (117.0) while also allowing the most points they’ve allowed all year (123.2). Neither of these teams is succeeding on defense whatsoever.
My Pick for LA vs Chicago
OVER 225
Although the last four games in this matchup have gone UNDER the total, I think this game will have the feel of a recreational game at the local Y on a Tuesday evening. Not a whole lot of defense, not a whole lot of taking time to run plays, and a whole lot of back and forth.
Full disclosure, I won’t be putting any money on this game as both sides, and especially the Lakers, have been completely disappointing bets lately. If I was forced to take a side, I’d fade the Lakers, a team that will be forced to play a lot of its bench tonight.
