NBA Preview: Lakers Face Big Test vs. Nets, so are Mavs vs. Nuggets

NBA Preview: Lakers Face Big Test vs. Nets, so are Mavs vs. Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks will look to return to winning ways in the NBA this Wednesday, but that’s something easier said than done as they both face tough oppositions on the road.

LeBron James and his Lakers face the resurging Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, and they’ll be playing a  Nets team brimming with confidence after winning five straight games—the second-longest winning streak in the NBA, only behind the Indiana Pacers.

Meanwhile, the Mavs take on the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets who are coming off back-to-back victories against the Oklahoma City Thunder (third in the West) and Toronto Raptors (top in the Eastern Conference).

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Indiana Pacers (December 19, 08:00 GMT+8)

Gone are the days that this match-up would be a sellout for fans in Ohio and Indiana. The Cleveland Cavaliers, put simply, are no longer the team that they were for the past four years.

The Cavs have entered rebuilding phase in the post-LeBron James era, and that is evident with their activities in recent weeks that saw them trade both Kyle Korver and George Hill for assets and draft picks.

Now, it’s all about developing rookie point guard Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman as the Cavs try to steer the ship to the right direction and, possibly, to championship contention as early as possible.

In contrast, the Pacers are thriving with Victor Oladipo leading them. They have won seven straight games, the longest current streak in the NBA, and have not shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, they made the headlines of NBA 2018 news with their back-to-back Ws against the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers last week.

Nate McMillan‘s team are one of the favourites to battle for a spot in the East finals, and it’s doubtful if the Cavs can stop them—especially now that they are without Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love.

Betting Tip: Indiana Pacers First Half Asian Handicap -7.00 @ 1.94.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Brooklyn Nets  (December 19, 08:30 GMT+8)

The Lakers, surprisingly, lost to the ever-dysfunctional Washington Wizards. After such embarrassing defeat, there’s no other choice for LeBron and Co. but to win and show the league that they are serious about their championship aspirations.

Unfortunately, it won’t be easy for the Lakers, not with the Nets flying high and positioning themselves as one of the contenders for a playoff spot in the crowded East.

Brooklyn, as mentioned, won five straight, including victories against the Raptors and Thunder. D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie have been huge for them in that stretch, with the former averaging 18.0 points and 7.8 assists and the latter putting up 24.6 markers and 6.0 dimes.

Both teams are showing that they can put up a fight, so it won’t be surprising to see a tight encounter in New York.

Betting Tip: Los Angeles Lakers Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.82.

Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks (December 19, 08:30 GMT+8)

What’s not to like in this game? Both teams are struggling and could really use a morale-boosting win as they try to gain respectability in the East.

Atlanta did win against the Mavs last week, but they have since fallen back to earth in their losses to the Boston Celtics and Nets.

On the other hand, the Washington Wizards have started to move on from the drama that engulfed the franchise early in the season. They have traded Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers recently in exchange for Phoenix Suns’ veteran Trevor Ariza, giving them a much-needed locker room presence and defensive boost.

It should help the Wiz, though, that they are coming off a thrashing of the Lakers, with John Wall banking 40 points, six rebounds and 14 assists.

Betting Tip: Washington Wizards Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 2.00.

Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets (December 19, 10:00 GMT+8)

Denver are the No.1 team in the ultra-tough West, so it’s no wonder why the NBA 2018 odds at SBOBET suggest a home win at Pepsi Center.

However, make no mistake; the Mavs can pull off a surprise from time to time as they continue to fight for a playoff place with super rookie Luka Doncic leading them.

Both teams are dealing with injuries, a fact which should make this meeting interesting. The Mavs are without J.J. Barea who has been dealing with a left ankle injury and Dennis Smith Jr. who has re-aggravated his wrist injury.

Meanwhile, Denver’s Garry Harris (hip), Paul Millsap (toe) and Will Barton (groin) are all sidelined with long-term injuries. This situation even forced the Nuggets to sign veteran guard Nick Young through the hardship exception.

Betting Tip: Dallas Mavericks +4.50 @ 2.01.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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