The Los Angeles Lakers hit a big wall in the form of Blake Griffin and the Clippers in a blowout loss on Wednesday. They weren’t the only ones to suffer a defeat that night as the Orlando Magic also lost on the road to the Denver Nuggets. Which of these two teams can rebound after a disappointing night? Read on as we breakdown the action to come.
Looking for more exciting NBA games for some action on Friday night? Check out our previews for the Cavs vs. Warriors and Suns vs. Spurs.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
When: Friday, January 9, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Lakers – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic had a double-double (20 points and 11 rebounds) against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. However, his performance was not enough as the Orlando Magic dropped a 93-90 decision at Denver.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Vucevic should still figure prominently against the Lakers. Los Angeles ranked 25th in the league in opponent points in the paint (45.2) and 29th in opponent total rebounds allowing 54.7 per game.
The Orlando center should also expect some help attacking the basket from Tobias Harris, who has shot 56.8 percent inside the paint. Harris has also been successful with his three-pointers shooting .500 from beyond the arc in the past five games. The Lakers have allowed an average of 26.8 points from three-pointers, 27th in the league this season.
Victor Oladipo should also be able to exploit the Lakers’ porous defense (29th in opponent field goal percentage). He has scored an average of 18.3 points per game in first three games of 2015. Oladipo has also shown that he can find the open man when he can’t shoot the ball himself. He has at least five dimes in his last two games.
The Magic are 3-0 ATS in their last three games on the road.
Banking on the Magic to pile more misery on the Lakers? Create a betting account now and get your pick in.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers lost for the sixth time in their last eight games after 114-89 drubbing at the hands of their Los Angeles rivals, the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Kobe Bryant had a horrible night on the field going 2-for-12 (0-for-3 from downtown) for four points, but managed to contribute in other aspects of the game finishing with eight rebounds and seven assists. Jeremy Lin and Jordan Hill picked up the slack as they shot .750 and .556 respectively.
Expect Bryant to have a better game against Orlando. Before the loss against the Clippers, he had shot .469 from the field, including .533 from the three-point line, in his last four games. His playmaking (a team-high 5.3 assists per game) may also be a factor against Orlando, who has allowed an average of 22.4 assists this season.
Bryant will have some support off the bench with the scoring ability of Carlos Boozer and Nick Young. Boozer has averaged 11.3 points on 53.8 percent shooting coming in with the second unit in his last four games. Young has hit .432 of his three-point attempts this season.
The Lakers have won four of their last five games against Orlando.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win and cover against Orlando.
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