Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview: Can Anyone Slow Down the Nets?

Brooklyn heads across country to face the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers, in what could be a preview of this year’s NBA Finals. Unfortunately, neither team will be at full strength headed into Thursday’s late night matchup.

The Nets come into the meeting after pulling off a stunning comeback against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both sitting out. James Harden scored 38, leading the Nets back from a 21-point halftime deficit, the largest halftime deficit overcome in franchise history.

The Lakers come off a win against the Timberwolves in their first game without Anthony Davis, after he re-aggravated his Achilles against the Nuggets. The Lakers had won 8-straight before losing to the Nuggets after Davis was injured. Can the Lakers 2nd ranked defense slow down the top scoring offense in the league without their premier big man?

Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup: Brooklyn Nets (18-12, 7-8 away, 2nd in Eastern Conference) vs Los Angeles Lakers (22-7, 9-4 home, 2nd in Western Conference)

• Date: Thursday, February 18th
• Time: 10:00 pm ET
• Location: Los Angeles, California (Staples Center)
• TV: TNT
• Spread: Nets +3 (-110), Lakers -3 (-110)
• Total: OVER 237 (-110), UNDER 237 (-110)
• Moneyline: Nets +128, Lakers -152

Odds via BetOnline as of Thursday, February 18 at 10:00 am ET

Brooklyn Nets Betting Preview

It has been just over a month since the Brooklyn Nets pushed in all the chips and traded for former MVP, James Harden, to pair him with their All-Star duo of Kyrie Irving and 2013-2014 MVP Kevin Durant. In that month, the trio has only played 186 minutes together across 7 games, with Irving and Durant both missing games. When on the court together, however, the Nets’ Big-3 has formed the best offensive team in the NBA. The defense, predictably, has slipped to 27th in the league since acquiring Harden.

The Nets will again be without Durant against the Lakers, missing his 3rd straight game with a hamstring injury. Kyrie is officially listed as probable for the game. Brooklyn has won 4 straight and looks to push it to 5 against one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview

The Lakers look to keep pace with the Utah Jazz for 1st place in the Western Conference. They will have to do that without Anthony Davis for at least a few weeks. Davis was diagnosed with a calf strain and will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks. Lebron James is again the odds on favorite to win his 5th NBA MVP and is averaging 25.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. He will have to carry the load without his partner in crime, Davis.

Nets vs Lakers Betting Trends and Stats

Los Angeles Lakers:

• 4-6 ATS in their last 10
• 1-4 ATS in last 5 following a win
• The Over is 5-1 in their last 6 games
• The Over is 5-0 in Lakers last 5 after a win
• The Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 home games

Brooklyn Nets:

• 6-4 ATS in their last 10
• 4-0 SU in the last 4
• 5-1 in last 6 ATS after scoring 125 or more in the previous game
• The Over is 8-2 over the last 10
• The Over is 5-0 in Nets last 5 games after scoring 125 points in the previous game

Nets vs Lakers Betting Picks

Look for the Nets offense to stay hot with Kyrie back in the lineup, and the Lakers defense to take a step back without Davis manning the frontend. The Over feels like a strong play here, and I like the Nets to cover the spread and win straight up.