SEASON FORECASTS AND FUTURES PICKS

Their odds to win it all are 4/1, 20% (#2). Our projection recommends not betting on them to win it all. Their 12.5% chance is #3 in the league. In simulations, they win the West 21% of the time and are not a good value at 9/4, 30.8%. The Lakers are averaging 51.1 wins per sim which makes them a decent bet to win over 50.5 games. At -650 the Lakers are a good value to make the playoffs with a 98.9% chance. Their odds of winning their division are 11/5, 31.2%. They win the division in 34.3% of simulations. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #4 in the West.

For winning picks against the spread, total and money line for all NBA games by our proven computer model and leading handicappers visit SportsLine.com where you can also get fantasy basketball and daily fantasy optimal lineups from CBSSports' Top Experts.

REGULAR SEASON RECAP AND UPCOMING GAMES

They were expected to win 47% of their games last season so their 37-45 met expectations. They were not good against the spread going 35-46-1 (-1560 loss). More of their games came in under (49) than went over (32). They are favored in their upcoming game vs the LA Clippers. The table below shows their upcoming games, their simulation based win percentage and their recent head to head record (WL, ATS, OU).

TEAM STATISTICAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

SHOOTING (AVERAGE): Their true FG% is 55.5% (#16 in League). They average 111.8 pts per game vs an expected average (based on pre-game odds) of 113.4. On the road they average 112.5 (112.4 expected), and at home 111 ppg (114.4 expected).

DEFENSE (STRENGTH): They are an above average defensive team holding opponents to 55.1 true FG% (#9 in League). They allow 113.5 pts per game vs an expected value of 114.3. They are allowing 115.8 (115 expected) on the road, and at home 111.2 ppg (113.6 expected).

REBOUNDING (BELOW AVERAGE): They are slightly outrebounded by opponents by 0.1 per game (#15 in league).

TURNOVERS (WEAKNESS): Their average turnover margin is -1.9 per game (#28 in league).

TEAM FANTASY LEADERS

The table below show the most valuable fantasy players on the team led by LeBron James who is projected to be the #2 Forward. The Better Option column shows the player directly above him and the Better Than column shows the player directly below him in the projected position rankings.