Washington on Nine-Game Skid
The Washington Wizards try to avoid a 10th straight loss when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers for an interconference matchup on Sunday night. Washington has lost the first two games of its current West Coast swing, including a loss to the LA Clippers on Saturday, and is in third place in the Southeast Division. Los Angeles has won two of its last three games, including a win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, but is still in last place in the Pacific Division. Both teams are trying to get back to .500 on the season, so check out our NBA betting preview of this game to help with your decision on how to make your wagers.
Let’s check the latest NBA odds, stats, injury report and NBA lines for Wizards vs Lakers. We’ve plenty of NBA betting odds for you to consider.
Wizards’ Struggles Continue
It might be hard to believe, but at one point this season, the Washington Wizards were thought to be a pleasant surprise, jumping out to a 10-7 record. But since that point in late November, the team has dropped 12 of 13 contests and is sinking fast in the standings. It doesn’t help that the team is in the middle of a long road trip and is just 3-12 as a visitor this season.
It also doesn’t help to be without guard Bradley Beal, who hasn’t played since Dec. 4 with a hamstring injury. Beal is averaging 22.9 points and 5.4 assists per game but played just three minutes on that date – ironically, against the Los Angeles Lakers – before leaving the game with the injury.
Center Kristaps Porzingis has been trying to keep the team afloat, averaging 22.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He’s also been averaging 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks on the defensive end of the floor.
Forward Kyle Kuzma is also playing well despite the team’s struggles. Kuzma is averaging 21.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and has turned it up over the last 10 games, averaging 23.2 points while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.
Scoop on Free Play from the Locker Room
Lakers Again Play Without Davis
The success of the Los Angeles Lakers usually correlates with the health of forward Anthony Davis, but the team is hoping to change that narrative. Davis (27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds) will miss Sunday’s game after suffering a foot injury midway through Friday’s win over the Denver Nuggets, sidelining him for the second half of the contest. Los Angeles was able to win thanks to a balanced attack and is hoping for more of the same against Washington.
“The pace changed, and the game changed,” Lakers guard Russell Westbrook said after Friday’s win. “You could see it. When we play that way, it’s hard to beat us.”
Westbrook had his second triple-double of the season off the bench with 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in the win. Westbrook is averaging 14.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists (seventh in the league) this season, learning to embrace his new reserve role.
Of course, with Davis out, much of the focus will shift to forward LeBron James, who continues to play at an MVP level at age 37. James is averaging 26.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season and scored 30 in Friday’s victory.
Wizards vs Lakers Game Injuries
Wizards vs Lakers Head-To-Head
The Los Angeles Lakers are going for the season series sweep against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, having already won on the road against the Wizards on Dec. 4. It would be the Lakers’ first season series win since the 2019-20 campaign when the two teams played just once due to the COVID-19-forced shortening of the season.
The Lakers have an all-time series lead of 122-77 heading into Sunday’s contest. The NBA lines for the game are favoring Los Angeles to pick up the win at home.
Wizards vs Lakers Game Information
- Game: Wizards (11-19) vs Lakers (12-16)
- Location: Capital One Arena
- Date/Time: Sunday, Dec 4, 6:00 p.m. ET
- Wizards vs Lakers Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Wizards vs Lakers Betting Lines
Wizards vs Lakers Picks & Prediction
The Washington Wizards are in a major rut, and they’re playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which isn’t going to be easy. The Los Angeles Lakers should be able to pull this one out behind the play of James and Westbrook. When making your NBA picks, take Los Angeles to win and cover at home.
Wizards vs Lakers Trends
Wizards vs Lakers Edge
Wizards vs Lakers Results
Wizards vs Lakers Previous Game (Dec. 4, 2022)
The Los Angeles Lakers go for a third straight win when they visit the Washington Wizards in an interconference matchup on Sunday. Los Angeles is coming off a win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night but is last in the Pacific Division, 2½ games behind the fourth-place LA Clippers. Washington has lost two in a row and five of its last six and is tied for second in the Southeast Division with the Miami Heat, two games behind the first-place Atlanta Hawks. Both teams are trying to move up in their respective division standings, so this should be a tight battle. To help with your betting online, check out our in-depth preview of this contest.
