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Lakers vs. Nets Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read


Apr. 10, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Saturday night with the Nets set to host the Lakers during the lone matchup on ABC’s nationally televised slate.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

Lakers vs. Nets Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Lakers vs. Nets

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Nets -12
  • Money-Line: Brooklyn -770, L.A. +525
  • Total: 228

Brooklyn enters Saturday’s contest as a 12-point favorite over the visiting Lakers, which is the largest number laid against Los Angeles in a matchup this season.

While the total for this event currently sits at OU 228 – marking the second-highest over-under set for a Lakers’ games so far this season.


The Lakers continue their road trip on Saturday night in a revenge spot against the Nets at Barclays Center. (AP)

Lakers vs. Nets Current Form-Last Game

The Nets head into Saturday following victories in six of their last seven games, despite picking up wins against the spread in just two of those contests.

Brooklyn did manage to cover the spread in its latest matchup though – as seven different Nets players eclipsed double-digit scoring on the way to a 27-point win over New Orleans.

On the other hand, the Lakers find themselves in the midst of quite the rough patch – with Los Angeles heading into Saturday’s contest after posting losses in seven of their last 11 games.

When looking at the big picture though, Los Angeles’ latest stint of games should be analyzed with a critical-eye – considering LeBron James and Anthony Davis did not participate in any of those contests.

Lakers vs. Nets Head-to-Head

  • Feb. 18, 2021 - Nets 109 at Lakers 98, Brooklyn +3, Under 230.5

Brooklyn has won four of its last five regular season matchups against the Lakers – with the most recent meeting between these teams taking place back in February of this year.

Both teams played short-handed during their matchup back in February – as Davis and Kevin Durant were both held out due to injury while the Nets claimed a double-digit victory over Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, this Saturday’s matchup between these teams won’t be played at full-strength either – considering Davis is still recovering from the calf injury that he suffered back on Valentine’s Day, and James Harden was recently diagnosed with a strained hamstring that is expected to keep him out for at least another week.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 32-20 SU, 25-27 ATS, 18-34 OU
  • Road: 16-9 SU, 14-11 ATS, 7-18 OU

While the Nets appear to be scrapping and clawing through the thick of their injury concerns, things haven’t been going quite as well in Los Angeles lately, to say the least.

Davis hasn’t played in over a month now, King James is expected to be sidelined for at least 4-6 more weeks, and the Lakers look like they are really starting to feel the magnitude of the injuries to their superstars as the month of April rolls on.

The Lakers owned the best record in the NBA for a significant portion of this season. Due to some unfortunate injury circumstances though, Los Angeles heads into Saturday as losers in 13 of its last 23 games, which has caused them to plummet all the way down to 5th place in the Western Conference standings at 32-20.

The ‘under’ in Lakers’ games has proven to be tried-and-true during these unfortunate circumstances though – considering the total has now stayed under in six of the last eight matchups containing Los Angeles, despite the various rotational changes Frank Vogel was forced to make over that period.

Brooklyn Nets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 36-16 SU, 25-27 ATS, 31-21 OU
  • Home: 22-6 SU, 13-15 ATS, 15-13 OU

Despite there being a constant revolving door of injuries within Brooklyn’s locker room, the Nets currently sit atop this year’s Eastern Conference standings with a record of 36-16 – pacing Philadelphia by one game.

Brooklyn’s clip against the spread isn’t nearly as impressive though – considering the Nets currently own a record of 25-27 ATS, which ranks 18th across the league in that department.

The ‘over’ has actually been the most profitable play in Nets’ games this season – currently sitting at a 31-21 clip so far this year. Make note though, the total has stayed 'under' in seven of the last 10 matchups containing the Nets.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers

  • SF Kyle Kuzma: Calf - Questionable
  • SF LeBron James: Ankle - Out
  • PF Anthony Davis: Achilles - Out

Brooklyn Nets

  • SG James Harden: Hamstring - Out
  • SG Landry Shamet: Ankle - Questionable

Player Prop Best Bet

Joe Harris – Over 12.5 Points (-118)

Although his stats may not always show it, Joe Harris has played an extremely crucial role in Brooklyn’s offense this season – currently averaging 14.2 points per game on 51.2% from the floor, while knocking down 48.3% of his three-point attempts for the Nets so far this year.

Naturally, the University of Virginia product experienced a drop in usage following Brooklyn’s acquisition of Harden back in January. Harden suffered a hamstring injury recently though, which has led to Harris regaining his original role in Brooklyn’s offense – having scored 13 or more points in three of his last five contests, while averaging 11.6 field goal attempts per game during that timeframe.

I’ll back Harris to have another solid night on the scoreboard against Los Angeles here.

Lakers vs. Nets Prediction

If this upcoming Saturday’s game were being played at full-strength, my opinion on the matter may have been different. Unfortunately though, the Lakers head into this matchup bearing an extremely crowded injury report that is headlined by both of their superstars – James and Davis.

While Brooklyn heads into this contest without Harden in the lineup, but still possess far more talent than the squad Los Angeles has trotted out over the last few weeks.

Four of the Lakers’ last six losses have come by double-digits, and none of L.A.’s opponents during that timeframe had lineups loaded with the level of offensive firepower that Brooklyn wields on a nightly basis. I’ll lay the hefty total with the Nets here.

Score Prediction: Nets 124, Lakers 106
Best Bet: Brooklyn -12

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