Lakers vs Nets Odds and Predictions for Christmas Day Game

• The Lakers are 1.5-point home favorites over the Nets on Friday night
• Both teams have multiple players in the COVID-19 protocols for this Christmas showdown
• A look at matchup and odds can be found below with a pick

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to return to action after a six-day pause because of COVID-19 issues to visit the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:00 p.m. ET Friday in a primetime Christmas game at the newly named Crypto.com Arena.

The Nets (36-17) haven’t played since Saturday when they lost to the visiting Orlando Magic 100-93, ending a four-game winning streak. Brooklyn then had three games postponed because it was unable to dress the minimum eight players as it had as many as 10 in the NBA health and safety protocols.

The Lakers (33-20), also shorthanded because of the protocols, have lost four games in a row. Los Angeles is a slight favorite in a game that will be televised by ABC and ESPN.

Nets vs Lakers Odds

Odds as of December 24th at FanDuel.

Injury Report

Both teams are affected by the NBA’s health and safety protocols as can be seen below.

As far as injuries, the Lakers are without Anthony Davis because of a sprained left knee. He won’t be evaluated again until next month.

Nets Outlook

The Nets expect to have more than eight players Friday, though they may not be able to practice in advance of the game.

Coach Steve Nash said Thursday that James Harden is out of the protocols and will play against the Lakers. Harden is second in the league in assists with 9.6 a game.

https://twitter.com/eurostepgod/status/1474051773329551363

However, the Nets aren’t expected to get any more players back before tipoff, which means Kevin Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, wouldn’t be able to play. He has a 29.7 average. Paul Millsap and Jevon Carter had also cleared protocols along with Nash, though rookies Cam Thomas, Kessler Edwards and David Duke Jr. had since entered.

Durant was placed in protocols last Saturday along with Kyrie Irving, a day after the Nets said they were bringing the unvaccinated point guard back to play in road games. Along with Durant, starters LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre’ Bembry remain in the protocols along with Bruce Brown, James Johnson and rookie Day’Ron Sharpe.

The last time the Nets played, they were without Durant and Harden while losing to the lowly Magic. Patty Mills led Brooklyn with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists, though he was just 2 of 14 from three-point range. Duke had his first career double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

DAVID
DUKE
JR.
💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/lsQU8IbWQT

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2021

Blake Griffin scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had six assists. Rookie Cam Thomas finished with 15 points and seven rebounds but made just 1 of 7 shots from distance.

The Nets shot 38.2% (39 of 102), including a dismal 19.6% (9 of 46) on threes. They also committed 15 turnovers.

Lakers Outlook

The Lakers were blasted at home by the San Antonio Spurs 138-110 on Thursday night. It was the last game in which the Lakers’ home arena was known as the Staples Center, a facility in which Los Angeles won five NBA titles since its opening for the 1999-2000 season.

The @Lakers bring out Gary Payton, Byron Scott, Luke Walton, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Robert Horry with the five championship trophies won in the Staples Center era #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/YKKiOi4yFm

— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) December 24, 2021

Depleted by the protocols, the Lakers did not look like a championship team against the Spurs. Avery Bradley, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves and Trevor Ariza were all sidelined and their status for Friday is uncertain.

Coach Frank Vogel missed his second straight game and assistant coach David Fizdale again ran the team. Fizdale and Vogel communicate by text during halftime to talk about potential second-half adjustments.

LeBron James and Russell Westbrook did what they could Thursday, combining for 66 points, but it wasn’t enough. James wound up with 36 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Westbrook posted 30 points and seven rebounds.

Quick trip to the circus 🎪

(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/BBv0kHuph8

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 24, 2021

Talen Horton-Tucker was the only other Lakers player to score in double digits as he had 13 points.

The Lakers made just 5 of 27 of three-point tries for 18.5%. They also had just four steals as the Spurs finished with six turnovers.

Nets vs Lakers Prediction

The teams are playing for the first time this season after the teams split a pair of games in 2020-21, each winning on the road. The Lakers rolled to a 126-101 victory April 10 in the second meeting.

Tucker had 14 points and 11 assists and was one of eight Lakers to score in double figures. Durant led the Nets with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Even though the Nets are missing more players, let’s lean towards them as the Lakers have been struggling mightily, even with James and Westbrook in the lineup.

The Pick: Nets Moneyline +102