LA Lakers in a numbers game with the Chicago Bulls

What tilts the odds more in NBA basketball: A major injury or a lack of practice?

Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls (Monday, 1am GMT)

Anthony Davis hobbled off the court on Friday in Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers’ odds on a second NBA Championship in three years lengthened once again with the market viewing that they have a mere 9% chance of a title next June.

Just when the 2020 champs had gone above .500 once again and moved back into the automatic playoff positions with three consecutive victories. 

Even more responsibility rests on the shoulders of Lebron James

But the LA Lakers are perhaps grateful that their second-most important player will only be out for four weeks with a MCL sprain.

It will certainly hurt them defensively heading into Sunday’s trip to the Chicago Bulls who have averaged 107.3 points over their last 10 games – hovering close to the Lakers conceding 107.1 over their previous 10.

But there is a coronavirus-shaped shadow hanging over this duel.

The Bulls, who won 121-103 when the teams met in November, had their previous two games cancelled when 10 players were placed in the NBA’s Covid protocols.

That’s meant a lack of practice time with Chicago set to field leading scorer DeMar DeRozan on Sunday less than 24 hours after he was allowed out of a 10-day isolation. They will remain short-handed. 

And it all hints at a game where offense may be at a premium, particularly as re-adjustments bed in during the first quarter. 

So if there is ever a time when the Lakers might capitalise, it is now – with rougher times ahead over Christmas.

Take the LA Lakers at +4.5 over the Chicago Bulls at 1.94

Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies (Sunday, 11pm GMT)

With Ja Morant absent due to a knee injury, the Memphis Grizzlies have caught fire with 10 wins out of 11 headed into Sunday’s clash with Portland Trail Blazers.

In that spell, their defensive rating has been a league-best by a huge margin of 96.9, all while scoring 115.5 points per 100 possessions, sixth overall.

One of their victims was the Blazers, defeated 113-103 on the road last Wednesday.

Portland – at 2.44 to pull off a revenge mission in the rematch – have been out-scored on average by 103.7 to 122 points over their last eight.

Memphis will expect to keep turning the screw. Go under 219.5 total points in Portland Trail Blazers – Memphis Grizzlies at 2.0

Charlotte Hornets @ Phoenix Suns (Monday, 1am GMT)

The Phoenix Suns shoot for a 14^th straight win on their own court when the out-of-sorts Charlotte Hornets come to town.

Charlotte are just 8-11 on the road and 3-7 over their last 10 games, coughing up an abysmal 125.3 points per night.

Take the Phoenix Suns on a handicap of -9 over the Charlotte Hornets at 1.98

Recommended Bets:

Take the LA Lakers at +4.5 over the Chicago Bulls at 1.94.

Back under 219.5 total points in Portland Trail Blazers – Memphis Grizzlies at 2.0.

Go the Phoenix Suns on a handicap of -9 over the Charlotte Hornets at 1.98.