The Brooklyn Nets welcome the Los Angeles Lakers at home. Most of the stars are out with an injury so it’s bound to be a showdown between dynamic guards Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Brooklyn Nets (30-19, 14-8 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Seth Curry / Ben Simmons
  • Kyrie Irving
  • Joe Harris
  • Royce O’Neale
  • Nic Claxton

As expected, the Nets are having troubles without Kevin Durant (knee). They have only gone 3-6 since he got hurt, scoring 113.8 points and giving up 116.4 in the stretch.

The good sign for tomorrow, however, is they are coming off a win. They edged out the New York Knicks on Sunday, 122-115, as Kyrie Irving came up big by scoring 21 of his 32 points in the 4th quarter. He now has six-straight games with 30 or more points and is averaging 36.3 PPG with a shooting split of 51.7/47.5/84.4 in that span. He should be able to stay in his groove.

Center Nic Claxton is also in quite a momentum, proving to be the biggest beneficiary of Durant’s absence. Though known for his defense, the 23-year-old is currently playing like a premier big man, as he is registering 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks on an insane 83.1% shooting over his last six outings. With Anthony Davis sidelined, he’ll likely feast on the Lakers frontcourt.

The Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

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AWAY: Los Angeles Lakers (23-27, 10-15 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Patrick Beverley
  • Dennis Schroder
  • Lonnie Walker
  • Rui Hachimura
  • Thomas Bryant

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are out, so expect a shakeup in the starting five. Russell Westbrook take Patrick Beverley’s spot so he can be maximized, and newbie Rui Hachimura may also get his first start as a Laker.

The Lakers are beaten down. It has been a trying season once again and the unfavourable calls they’ve been getting are exhausting. We’ll see how well they can continue to grind. Westbrook is likely to be the focal point for tomorrow and he may go off. He had a seven-game stretch earlier in the month where he put up 24.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game on 49.6% shooting. Russ will be primarily aided on offense by Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, Thomas Bryant, and Lonnie Walker, assuming he suits up.

The Lakeshow are only 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are, however, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Nets (-9) should be able to get the win and cover the spread.

Over/Under: These two aren’t gangbusters on defense. Going over 231 is a good take.