Lakers @ Nets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Lakers (18-12)

@ Brooklyn Nets (13-18)

Current odds:

Los Angeles Lakers: (-140)

Brooklyn Nets: (+120)

• The line for this game is Lakers by 2 points.

• The Nets have followed up an eight-game slide with a season-high five-game winning streak and they’re averaging 122.8 points along the way while knocking off Toronto and Philadelphia. “I think just our commitment for wanting to see each other do better,” guard D’Angelo Russell told reporters after scoring 32 points and handing out seven of the team’s season high-tying 34 assists in 144-127 win over Atlanta on Sunday. “Like I said, everybody is aggressive at the appropriate time but still wanting to make that extra pass for the next guy, still having your teammates’ back on the defensive end, that rotation. We’re making those plays.”

• The Lakers are 1-2 on their four-game road trip following a 128-110 loss at Washington on Sunday. LeBron James was held to a season-low 13 points and Los Angeles gave up 71 first-half points while falling to 7-8 on the road.

• James shot 5-for-16 and teamed with his fellow starters to make only two of their combined 18 3-point shots in a sluggish effort at Washington. “We’re a team that’s built on energy and depth,” James told reporters. “We didn’t have either tonight.” Seemingly contrary to James’ assessment was the play of a bench that shot 63.9 percent and received a season highs of 25 points and five assists from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

• Brooklyn’s recent eight-game losing streak included several close losses and late-game malfunctions, but such issues have seemingly been kicked to the curb by a club displaying more of a killer instinct. “Our aggressiveness to close the game was different. I felt a different vibe. I can’t describe it,” coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters after the offensive onslaught against the Hawks. “In the past, teams — I don’t care who it was, whether it was a great team or average team — we just let them back in the game. I just felt there was a conviction, a spirit on the bench [the Hawks] weren’t going to come back. I hope that’s going to continue.” Russell, the former Laker, has scored at least 26 points in five of his last eight home games.

• Lakers PF Kyle Kuzma is averaging 22.9 points on 52.2 percent shooting in December.

• Nets rookie SF Rodions Kurucs is averaging 13 points and six rebounds in two consecutive starts after 12 games coming off the bench.

• Los Angeles took both meetings last season, including a 102-99 triumph at Brooklyn on Feb. 2.