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Stephen DeAngelo
For Tuesday's freebie, we'll shift over to the NBA and grab the big points with the Nets, who travel to L.A. to face the red-hot Lakers.
Los Angeles has won 11 of its last 12, including four straight (4-0 ATS). But this is the ultimate flat spot for LeBron James and Co., coming off their two biggest wins of the season: 113-103 over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Friday and 112-103 over the crosstown-rival Clippers on Sunday.
James not only logged 72 out of a possible 96 minutes in those two victories, but he hoisted up 38 shots and went to the free-throw line 29 times (meaning he got roughed up pretty good). That's a lot for a 35-year-old body to absorb—especially a 35-year-old in his 16th NBA season who also has played the equivalent of more than three full seasons of playoff basketball. It would only be natural if The King was off his game a bit tonight—that is, assuming he plays at all, which is no gimme given that he’s questionable with a groin injury.
As for the Nets, they come into this one on a bit of a roll, having won three of their last four games, including a 129-120 rout of the Celtics in Boston a week ago tonight. Brooklyn also has scored upset victories over the Raptors and Pacers over the past month, during which time the Nets also nearly won in Toronto (119-118 loss as a 6½-point underdog) and in Miami (116-113 loss as a 7½-point pup).
I'm not ready to go out on a limb and predict a Nets upset here, but given how good the Lakers are feeling about themselves right now, it wouldn't shock me. And with this being L.A.'s fifth game in nine nights, there's a good chance James (if he plays) and big man Anthony Davis will see their minutes reduced. Either way, I don’t see the Lakers having enough in the physical and emotional tank to cover this big number.
2* BROOKLYN
For Tuesday's freebie, we'll shift over to the NBA and grab the big points with the Nets, who travel to L.A. to face the red-hot Lakers.
Los Angeles has won 11 of its last 12, including four straight (4-0 ATS). But this is the ultimate flat spot for LeBron James and Co., coming off their two biggest wins of the season: 113-103 over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Friday and 112-103 over the crosstown-rival Clippers on Sunday.
James not only logged 72 out of a possible 96 minutes in those two victories, but he hoisted up 38 shots and went to the free-throw line 29 times (meaning he got roughed up pretty good). That's a lot for a 35-year-old body to absorb—especially a 35-year-old in his 16th NBA season who also has played the equivalent of more than three full seasons of playoff basketball. It would only be natural if The King was off his game a bit tonight—that is, assuming he plays at all, which is no gimme given that he’s questionable with a groin injury.
As for the Nets, they come into this one on a bit of a roll, having won three of their last four games, including a 129-120 rout of the Celtics in Boston a week ago tonight. Brooklyn also has scored upset victories over the Raptors and Pacers over the past month, during which time the Nets also nearly won in Toronto (119-118 loss as a 6½-point underdog) and in Miami (116-113 loss as a 7½-point pup).
I'm not ready to go out on a limb and predict a Nets upset here, but given how good the Lakers are feeling about themselves right now, it wouldn't shock me. And with this being L.A.'s fifth game in nine nights, there's a good chance James (if he plays) and big man Anthony Davis will see their minutes reduced. Either way, I don’t see the Lakers having enough in the physical and emotional tank to cover this big number.
2* BROOKLYN
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