The Los Angeles Lakers have the toughest thing that you can have in the NBA: a road back-to-back. After a grueling battle with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night the Lakers will be back in action on Thursday to take on the Detroit Pistons.
The two teams could not be any more different. The 76ers are the best team in the Eastern Conference and are a potential NBA Finals opponent, if the Lakers get there, of course. Meanwhile, the Pistons are the worst team in the league with no signs of getting better.
But still, with a hard-fought game in the rear-view against Philly and a big game coming up this weekend against Boston, this has all the makings of being a trap game, especially as the second leg of a back-to-back.
As part of the Lake Show Life Podcast, I have been picking against the spread and the point total for every single Laker game this season. Because of the schedule the podcast, I was unable to give my betting picks on-air vs. Detroit.
Thus, I bring them to you in article form because I am red hot and of course I have to brag about it. In yesterday’s article, I predicted the Sixers to cover +4.5 and actually win by one point, which they did. However, I did snap my long winning streak, as I picked the over, not the under.
That makes me 9-1 in my last 10 Los Angeles Lakers-related picks. I now have a 20-14 record for the season.
According to the Bet MGM odds via The Action Network, the Lakers are currently 9.5-point favorites in this game with a point total set at 216.5.
Betting picks for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons:
- Detroit Pistons +9.5, under 216.5 (Final score: Los Angeles Lakers 106, Detroit Pistons 100)
This is a classic case of get in, get out and try not to get injured. The Los Angeles Lakers are the far more talented team than the Pistons but after last night’s game and with a big game on the horizon, the Lakers’ main focus is going to be to win as safely as possible.
I ran the numbers on my NBA betting model and actually have the Lakers winning by eight, right under the 9.5-point line. If the Lakers were rested or at home then I would have easily taken them against the spread. I would genuinely be surprised if Detroit did not cover in this game.
I also have the under as we have a Lakers team that is good offensively but has been known to coast at times this season and we have a Pistons team with an inefficient offense that is coming up against a great defense.
They will creep back into the game late when the Lakers’ subs are on the court and get the backdoor cover.