Lakers vs Nets Preview: No Kobe Could Prove Beneficial

Nov 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Brooklyn Nets for the final time this season Tuesday night at STAPLES

Coming into the season series 1-0, Tuesday night represents a huge game for the Los Angeles Lakers as they take on the Brooklyn Nets. Sitting at 11-49 and 17-43 respectively, both teams are officially, unofficially tanking this season away for hopes of a better draft pick.

The 2016 Draft is a relatively “top heavy” draft, which is to say that outside of the top three picks or so, the talent level falls off heavily. Seeing how the Lakers can only keep their pick if it lands in the top three, this is a frightening but exciting prospect.

Regardless, similar to the games last year against the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers come out with W on the mind and if last year is any indicator of things to come, they will. Looking at the odds, this is one of the first games the Lakers have been favored to win in a long time, so expect them to come out victorious against the struggling Nets.

An interesting side story is that Kobe Bryant will be sitting out, which hopefully means that some of the Lakers young guys will be awarded these minutes. A full rookie-sophomore lineup seems like a pipe dream but who knows at this point.

Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 1
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here

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Betting Odds

Point Spread: Lakers -2 
Moneyline: Nets +115, Lakers -135
O/U: 211

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant (shoulder)—Out, Larry Nance Jr. (knee)—Probable

Brooklyn Nets: Wayne Ellington (concussion)–Probable, Jarrett Jack (knee)–Out, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (knee)–Out

Next: Kobe Bryant Out Versus Brooklyn Nets

Prediction

Led by D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers youth initiative ends their eight game schneid seriously hurting the tank. However, being the fair basketball gods that they are, the Lakers still manage to end up with the second overall pick for the second season in a row.

Brandon Ingram here we come!

As always, stay tuned with Lake Show Life for all the news, updates, analysis, highlights, and everything in between for the Lakers.

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