The Los Angeles Lakers are returning home to the Staples Center in Los Angeles tonight to face the streaking Orlando Magic, winners of five straight games. After losing back-to-back road games at Memphis and Houston on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lakers hope to reverse their recent swoon and get back on the winning track against the Magic. Tip-off is at 10:30 p.m. EST.
There is no better place for the Lakers to end a losing streak than on their own home court. In their last 31 home games dating back to last season, the Lakers have gone 26-5 and are 16-4 this season at the Staples Center (10-1 versus Western Conference opponents). Earlier this season from Nov. 10-Dec. 10, the Lakers played 13-of-14 games at the Staples center and posted a 10-3 record over that stretch.
Oddsmakers like the Lakers at home and have installed them favorites by a -4.5 chalk at Bodog.com with a total of 196. Just prior to LA’s two game road losing streak, the Lakers covered their previous four games and cashed for their backers ATS in four straight games.
The Lakers will again be without the talents of big-man Kwame Brown who severely sprained his left ankle in the game with Philadelphia on New Years Eve. Brown will be out an undetermined amount of games. Without Brown in the lineup this season the Lakers are currently 7-5. Lamar Odom who is also out of the Lakers lineup with a MCL sprain he received against Houston on Dec. 12.
