The Washington Wizards invade the Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Here’s a Lakers vs. Wizards Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs. Wizards Prediction Pick.
Washington Wizards Betting Preview
The Washington Wizards have been in terrible shape as they’ve lost 18 of their last 19 games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting smashed by the Trail Blazers in a 123-88 road defeat last night. Will Riley led the team with 14 points off the bench; Bub Carrington added 11 points, while Tristan Vukcevic and Justin Champagnie each scored 10 points. As a team, the Wizards shot just 37 percent from the field and a miserly five of 22 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and scored just 15 points in the first quarter to trail by 11 points at halftime and things only got worse in the second half, where they got outscored by 65-41 to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season. Bilal Coulibaly had a night to forget as he shot just two of 14 from the field to finish with just four points.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been on fire as they’ve won 14 of their last 16 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after blowing past the Nets in a 116-99 home win on Friday. Luka Doncic led the team with 41 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 15 of 25 shooting; Austin Reaves added 26 points with eight rebounds and five assists, while LeBron James chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 54 percent from the field and 11 of 25 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 35 points in the first quarter to take the early lead, but this was still a very close contest until the fourth quarter, where the Lakers restricted the Nets to just 15 points to pull away and win by double digits in the end.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Wizards have lost each of their last 18 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have won each of their last 11 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Wizards have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games.
Why the Washington Wizards will win
- The Lakers have lost two of their last three games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents following a win.
- The road team has won three of the last four games between the Wizards and Lakers.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Lakers’ last six games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Wizards’ last seven night games on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last five home games on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luke Kennard ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (48.4%) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.7) this season.
Washington Wizards Player Facts
- Bilal Coulibaly ranks 16th amongst qualified players for steals + blocks per game (2.3) this season.
- Bub Carrington ranks 14th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (39.7%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.5).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.0%).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-11.4).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (48.0).
Lakers vs Wizards Prediction
The Wizards have ruled out Trae Young, Kyshawn George, Anthony Davis, Cam Whitmore and Bub Carrington, while the Lakers have ruled out Marcus Smart and Adou Thiero again. The Lakers head into this contest as the clear favorites and they have already smashed the Wizards by 142-111 back on Jan 30. The line is certainly hefty, but the Wizards are severely depleted and they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set so I will stick with the red-hot Lakers to get the job done in this spot.