The Brooklyn Nets (13-18) and the Los Angeles Lakers (18-12) clash at Barclays Center. The Nets are a 2.5-point underdog and will try to prolong their five-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets ATS Odds
The last time the Nets played, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 144-127, easily covering as 7.5-point favorites. The Lakers, on the other hand, were dismantled by the Washington Wizards, 128-110, and failed to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Brooklyn game went 45.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5, while the Los Angeles game finished 6.5 points over the projected point total of 231.5.
Brooklyn played a flawless contest. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.341 (above their season average of 0.207) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.6 (above their season average of 26.1). Atlanta had marks of 0.224 and 21.6, respectively, for those same stats. Los Angeles, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.121 vs. 0.066). D’Angelo Russell had a solid performance for Brooklyn, finishing with 32 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Los Angeles was led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Lakers dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the most recent matchup, Los Angeles won 102-99. Los Angeles’ rebounding was their largest strength. The Lakers had 18 offensive rebounds and 56 total rebounds, while the Nets had five and 38, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Oddsmakers have a tendency to set the total high when the Lakers are involved, as 17 of their 30 contests have finished under the projected point total. Los Angeles is 18-12 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (12-17-1 against the spread (ATS)).
Games featuring the Nets have finished over the total 48.4 percent of the time. Additionally, Brooklyn is 13-18 SU and 16-15 ATS.
The Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 24 points,6.0 rebounds,3.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie has averaged 25 points,5.4 assists during that same time frame for the Nets.
The offensive glass could be a major advantage for Brooklyn in this matchup. The Nets are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking fourth in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.1 percent. Meanwhile, Los Angeles ranks 23rd in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.5 percent. It will also be a battle of conflicting tempos as the fast-paced Lakers rank second in possessions per game, while the more methodical Nets rank 22nd.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank 7 in steals per game (8.6) while the Nets rank 12 in steals allowed per game (7.580645161290323).
- Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (20.6) while Brooklyn ranks 28th (9.1).
- The Lakers rank ninth in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while the Nets rank 25th (15.3).
- Brooklyn ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (26.3) while Los Angeles ranks 15th (30.9).
- Brooklyn ranks 16 in rebounds allowed per game (44.67741935483871) while Los Angeles ranks 25 (46.3).
- The Lakers rank third in blocks per game (6.0) while the Nets rank 27th (3.8).
- The Lakers average 13.133333333333333 second chance points per game, which ranks 16 in the league. The Nets rank 28 in second chance points allowed per game (15.225806451612904).
- Los Angeles averages 55.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Brooklyn ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.5).
- Brooklyn is 4-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 6-0.
- The Lakers are 17-11 when they score over 100 points, while the Nets are 13-14.
- Los Angeles is 6-9 ATS on the road, while Brooklyn is 7-9 ATS at home.
- The Lakers have 8 overs and 7 unders in 15 road games.
- Of the Nets’ 16 home games, they have 10 overs and 6 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Los Angeles and Brooklyn have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Nets are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 2-3.
- The Nets have outscored opponents by an average of 7.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Brooklyn has been defeated by an average of 0.9 points.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 113.6 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.4 points per game (2.2 below their season average).
