The Washington Wizards take on the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time this season in a star studded matchup in Staples Center. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Wizards-Lakers prediction and pick.
The Lakers currently hold the second-best overall record in the league at 22-9, but they are only 14-17 against the spread. They are coming off a loss in a Finals rematch against the Miami Heat.
Meanwhile, the Wizards stand at 10-17 overall and are 13-14 against the spread. Washington's last game was a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Wizards-Lakers NBA odds.
NBA Odds: Wizards vs. Lakers Odds
Los Angeles Lakers -7.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards +7.5 (-110)
Over 227 Points (-112)
Under 227 Points (-108)
Why The Wizards Could Cover The Spread
The Wizards have been one of the hottest teams in the league of late.
Washington has won four straight, and in three of those matchups they were sizable underdogs.
Conversely, the Lakers have struggled mightily in the absence of Anthony Davis. Los Angeles has failed to break 100 points in their last two matchups without Davis and Dennis Schroder, and hasn't broken 115 points in their last five.
L.A. hasn't exactly faced defensive powerhouses in the stretch either. If the Brooklyn Nets could hold this team below triple digits, the Wizards have at least a fighting chance of staying in this one.
Perhaps the most impressive statistic over the last four Wizards wins is that they've held two opponents (the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers) below their scoring average.
Washington is used to living and dying on the offensive end, but they actually won two games where the projected total went under. For reference, before this stretch, the Wizards had only won two total games where the projected total was under all season.
With Washington actually showing some life on the defensive end and the Lakers missing two of their three top scorers, we could see this game come down to the wire.
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The biggest advantage the Lakers have tonight is on the defensive end. These two teams are on opposite spectrums defensively.
The Wizards have allowed the second most points in the league. They hold the fourth worst defensive rating in the NBA.
On the other hand, the Lakers allow the second least points and hold the best defensive rating in the league.
While the Wizards have been tolerable on the defensive end in their recent stretch, it's a small sample size. The Lakers have been dominant all season.
Even without Anthony Davis on the court in this three-game stretch, the Lakers have held each opponent below their scoring average.
The biggest focus for the Lakers in this game is getting points out of anyone not named LeBron James.
LeBron has averaged 27.0 points in the Lakers last three games, and has little help getting Los Angeles on the board. James has accounted for 27% of the Lakers points since Anthony Davis was injured against the Nuggets.
Kyle Kuzma has been solid recently, dropping a season-high 23 against Miami and 16 in the prior game.
Against a Washington team that is expected to run up the numbers, the Lakers will need more than just LeBron and a single role player to step up to cover this significant spread.
After losing two straight, look for ‘Bron to be aggressive early here on offense and get teammates some good clean looks against a porous defense.
If the Lakers shooters can find their rhythm after a cold stretch, this could be a double-digit win.
Final Wizards-Lakers Prediction & Pick
This matchup is a clash of contrasting styles. The Lakers win by grinding out victories on defense, the Wizards win by shooting opponents off the floor. With the Wizards in excellent form and the Lakers missing two of their three best players, I'll wager the Wizards offense keeps them in this game. I'll take the Lakers to hold on their home floor, but I think Bradley Beal and company make this a competitive game.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: LAL 117, WAS 113 (WAS +7.5)
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