Free NBA Pick: Nets vs. Lakers NBA Odds
Looking for Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Nets taking on the Lakers on Saturday, December 25th, 2021 at Staples Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Nets Lakers matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(21-9) Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (16-17)
Date: Saturday, December 25th
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Nets +105 | Lakers +102 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -1
NBA Betting Total: 226
The prime time game of Christmas Day features the teams’ many thought would be facing each other in the NBA Finals this spring – – the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s the first time these teams will play each other this year and both clubs will be without core starters. The clubs will play once more in Brooklyn on January 25th.
Nets matches versus the Nuggets (Dec. 19th) and Wizards (Dec. 21st) were postponed with the team last playing a week ago in a 93-100 loss to the Magic. The Lakers meanwhile may have got caught looking ahead to Saturday as they fell 110-138 to the Spurs
Brooklyn Nets
One of the teams hardest hit by COVID is Brooklyn and even as James Harden, Paul Millsap, Jevon Carter, James Johnson, and DeAndre Bembry cleared protocols more Nets were entering including the three rookies Kessler Edwards, Cam Thomas, and David Duke Jr. (Dec. 23rd).
While Harden is expected to play, unfortunately, Steve Nash updated that Kevin Durant won’t be available. Additionally, Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Day’Ron Sharpe also remain in protocols plus Joe Harris (ankle surgery) is out.
While the Nets sit atop the Eastern Conference their record against teams with records above .500 isn’t overwhelming (3-6) with two of the three wins versus the Cavaliers.
More baffling is the Nets rank in the top ten (6th) defensively but not offensively (13th). Adding to the perplexing uncertainty of the Nets other than Durant’s dominance is the team elected to walk back their decision to let Kyrie Irving just play games on the road.
Ironically, the minute Sean Marks changed his mind, Irving tested positive for COVID.
Players nursing injuries but listed as probable are Blake Griffin (knee) and Nic Claxton (wrist).
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James delivered for his squad with 36 points, nine rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks against the Spurs. However, the team got routed by 28 points, and perhaps the added weight of doing so much showed up elsewhere as he shot 2 of 7 from deep and had three turnovers.
Russell Westbrook had one of his more efficient efforts (12 of 20) scoring 30 points with seven rebounds, and four assists, but also had five turnovers.
In his second game back after missing three in quarantine Talen Horton-Tucker performed better scoring 13 points, with four rebounds and three assists, and was the only other double-figure contributor.
Anthony Davis (sprained MCL) is out for a month minimum, Five Lakers are in protocols including Avery Bradley, Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, and Austin Reaves. Kendrick Nunn (knee) is out indefinitely.
LA signed Darren Collison and Stanley Johnson to 10-day hardship deals and hope to utilize them Saturday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Brooklyn’s last 9 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LAs’ last 9 games.
- The Nets are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
Free Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Prediction:
Both teams limp into this contest with at least one star able to play but hardly representative of their best selves.
Not sure this game was best suited to take the prime time slot given all the injuries but there will be drama with Harden and Westbrook facing each other while LeBron tries to put on a holiday show.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nets +1
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