The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have a Christmas special in the first-ever game played at Crypto.com Arena. Okay, settle down everybody, it’s still the same building as the Staples Center.
From the marketing efforts out there, you’d think the facility is being imploded and going to a new arena.
This is, in fact, the same place with a different name painted on it. The Lakers enjoyed a lot of success when it was the Staples Center, but not recently.
look at this offense. pic.twitter.com/aCHQDBeUAF
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 24, 2021
On Thursday night, they dropped to 138-110 in an embarrassing loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Things got so bad that Lebron James went 1 on 5 versus the Spurs defense in the 4th quarter.
No other Lakers bothered to go and play past half-court, with Lebron chucking up a low-percentage three from the corner. It made no sense and well summed the Lakers’ season up in one series.
They aren’t playing like a team interesting in going to the playoffs, as they look to halt a four-game losing streak and back to .500 ball on Christmas.
The good news is there’s plenty of time left on the clock for the Lakers to get back into the game this season. However, they look old, and I don’t know if anything will change with more miles on their legs in the spring.
With no James Harden and multiple Nets players in COVID protocol, here's what Kevin Durant has done since:
◽️ 51 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST vs. Pistons (W)
◽️ 34 PTS, 13 REB, 11 AST vs. Raptors (W)
◽️ 34 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST vs. 76ers (W) pic.twitter.com/ln8uLShJcA— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 17, 2021
Brooklyn goes to Los Angeles with a banged-up and sick squad. They have 11 players listed on the injury and Covid list. The biggest name is Kevin Durant, as he won’t play on Christmas due to health and safety protocol.
There are a total of seven Nets ruled OUT for Saturday. Joe Harris will be unavailable due to an ankle injury, while many are on the Covid list.
The Nets are coming off a 100-93 loss home versus Orlando. That ended a four-game winning streak, as the injuries and ill players caught up to Brooklyn.
Head below for our free Nets vs. Lakers pick on December 25, 2021.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of BetUS:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | +1 (-110) | OFF | Over 225.5 (-110) |
| LA Lakers | -6 (-115) | -250 | Under 225.5 (-110) |
| Team Data | Brooklyn Nets | Phoenix Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 21-9 | 16-17 |
| ATS Record | 13-17-0 | 12-21-0 |
| Away/Home Record | 11-3 | 10-9 |
| ATS Away/Home | 8-6-0 | 6-13-0 |
| Points Per Game | 109.7 | 109.8 |
| Points Against Per Game | 106.3 | 112.0 |
| Field Goal % | 46.4 | 46.2 |
| Three Point % | 35.3 | 34.5 |
Nets vs. Lakers Prediction:
The Nets have problems going into Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day. Their starting five will not look the best, as they are expected to send out James Harden, Patty Mills, Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap, and Jevon Carter.
That’s something else for the Nets. The Lakers have been slow to play defense, but this matchup may favor them. From the possibility of having Harden, Durant, and Kyrie Irving on the floor together for Christmas to having a mismatch of a star and bench players.
The Nets do not have the quickest legs for Christmas. Unlike the Spurs youngsters, the Nets will be unable to run up and down the floor taking advantage of the older Lakers.
You have to figure after they were laughed at on social media following the lazy effort versus the Spurs, they’ll come back with more drive. Their offense has been fine this season, as they’ve scored 109.8 points per game.
That’s good for the top-10, but their defense has left a lot to be desired. They were a good defensive team without Anthony Davis and Lebron in the lineup frequently last year. However, there has been little help from the defense for this campaign.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:
Nets
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games on the road
- 6-2 ATS in their previous eight games as an underdog
- 14-3 ATS in their previous 17 games versus the Pacific Division
- 0-4 ATS in their previous four games on a Saturday
- UNDER is 7-1 in their previous eight games as an underdog on the road
Lakers
- 1-4 overall in their previous five games
- 1-4 ATS in their previous five games
- 6-16 ATS in their previous 22 games at the Crypto.com Arena
- 9-23-1 ATS in their previous 33 games as a betting favorite
- UNDER is 7-2 in their previous nine games
As bad as the Lakers have looked recently, I have confidence in Lebron and Russell Westbrook taking over this matchup. James Harden will be forced to do a magic trick on the floor with the lineup he’s working with on Christmas.
The future outlook for the Lakers doesn’t look great over the Warriors and Suns, but they likely get up for a home game on Christmas. The Lakers might be old, though I’m not enthused with the Nets are putting on the floor in this one.
Brooklyn shouldn’t be able to take advantage of their old legs. I’m sure that the public will be leaning towards the Nets after that ugly performance for the Lakers versus the Spurs. However, expect the Lakers to find motivation for a day in this one. I think they have a little pride left for Christmas.
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