Lakers vs. Wizards Prediction
The Washington Wizards have been one of the more disappointing teams in the early 2018-19 NBA season. Can they start to get themselves on track tonight when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at 6PM ET?
521 Los Angeles Lakers at 522 Washington Wizards
Sunday, December 16, 2018
6PM ET – Capital One Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Lakers are the slight favorite on the road, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Wizards. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 231 points. The public betting currently has 81 percent going on the Lakers as a road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Lakers going back-to-back
Los Angeles is coming off a 128-100 win at Charlotte on Saturday. The Lakers have had four of their last five on the road and they are 2-2 in those four road games. Los Angeles is 18-11 on the season, 7-7 on the road, 12-16-1 against the spread and 17-11-1 with the under.
The Lakers are putting up 113.5 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Lakers are giving up 111 points per game. Rajon Rondo is getting closer to returning to the team from his hand injury, but is still questionable for tonight’s game. LeBron James is putting up 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game to lead the Lakers while Kyle Kuzma is adding 18.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Wizards digging a hole
Washington is coming off a 125-118 loss at Brooklyn on Friday. The Wizards have now lost four straight games, failing to cover in all of them. Washington is now 11-18 on the season, 7-6 at home, 11-18 against the spread and 18-11 with the over.
The Wizards have really struggled on defense this season, allowing 117.2 points per game while opponents shoot 47.1 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from the arc. Offensively, Washington does score 112.3 points per game, but shoots just 32.8 percent from the arc. Otto Porter Jr. is dealing with a knee injury that has him questionable to play tonight. Bradley Beal has been leading the Wizards with 23.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. John Wall is adding 20.8 points and 8.7 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Lakers are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 conference games and 2-5 ATS in their last seven Sunday games.
Washington
The Wizards are 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 Sunday games and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 conference games.
Prediction:
The Wizards aren’t a team I’d normally like, but when you really dig into their schedule, you see they have been pretty tough at home. They lost in OT to the Celtics earlier in the week, but had a 14-point win over the Nets and an OT win over the Rockets in the previous two home games. Los Angeles looks better on paper, but playing on back-to-back nights is always a challenge. Washington needs to find a spark soon, so the Wizards should show a little desperation in this game.
NBA Prediction: Washington Wizards +2.5