NBA Betting: Lakers-Nets May Lack Star Power
A light night in the NBA on Thursday night includes the first meeting of the season between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
In the first matchup between the two powerhouses, both sides could be short-handed. The Lakers are guaranteed to be missing Anthony Davis, who’s out with a calf strain. The Nets could be without Kevin Durant, who sat out their last two games due to a hamstring injury, and Kyrie Irving, who missed Tuesday’s game with a back injury.
The Lakers head into Thursday night 8-1 straight up and 4-5 against the spread in their last nine games. Last time out, without Davis, they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-104 as a 6-point favorite at Bovada Sportsbook. At home, Los Angeles has won five straight at 2-3 ATS.
Brooklyn has won four straight SU and ATS following Tuesday’s 128-124 win over the Phoenix Suns as 8-point underdogs. The Nets have been a solid OVER play for totals bettors, at 9-2 OVER in their last 11. They’re also 11-1 OVER in their last 12 road games.
Last season the Nets and Lakers split the season series 1-1 SU and ATS. However, the Nets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games against the Lakers.
OVER has been trending in Raptors games
Also on tap Thursday night, the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks clash for the second time in three nights.
On Tuesday, Toronto defeated Milwaukee 124-113 as a 6-point road underdog. With the win, Toronto is 3-3 SU and ATS in its last six, and the Raptors are 9-1 OVER in their last 10 for totals bettors. They’ve also posted eight straight OVERs on the road.
Milwaukee has lost four in a row SU and ATS and was favored in three of those losses. At home, the Bucks are 5-2 SU and 3-4 ATS in their last seven.
The Raptors and Bucks also met up in Florida on January 27. The Bucks won that game 115-108 as a 6-point favorite. At home to the Raptors, the Bucks are 3-3 SU and ATS in their last six.
Kings have covered in 6 of last 7 vs Heat
The only other game on the Thursday schedule is the Miami Heat at the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento is on a four-game losing streak SU and ATS. Prior to that, the Kings had won eight in a row ATS. At home, the Kings have been a tough bet at 3-7 ATS in their last 10.
Miami will be playing the second of a back-to-back after visiting the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Heading into that game, the Heat had lost their last two games SU and ATS, and they were 3-9 ATS in their last 12.
The Kings and Heat met up in Miami on January 30 and the Heat edged the Kings 105-104 as a 6.5-point favorite. Including that ATS win, the Kings are 6-1 ATS in their last seven vs the Heat.