FanDuel (@ under 28.5 -122). Franz Wagner has remained under this points and assists line in 20/31 games he’s played with Paolo Banchero this season. The Lakers rank 4th against PnR ballhandlers (Wagner’s main half court playtype), and have several wing defenders to throw at both Wagner and Paolo Banchero (Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt). I’d bet this down to under 27.5 P+A, or under 33.5 PRA.

First game of a road trip and on the East Coast nonetheless for Los Angeles? Normally, this would be Pass-adena but the Lakers have looked so bad in back-to-back home games -- shockingly so Saturday in LeBron's return from injury -- that I can't imagine they take this one lightly despite the travel, below-.500 opponent, etc. Magic point guard Cole Anthony (not that he's great, but the best option they have) being ruled out again clinched this for me.

With Paolo Banchero back fully integrated into the Magic offense, Wagner isn't looking for his outside shot as much - attempting 4 threes/G in March, 5.5 in Feb, 6.5 in Jan, 7.3 in Dec. The Lakers' D has to bounce back here and limiting Wagner and Banchero is a must. Wagner is shooting just 25.6% from three this month and is over this just once in the last eight games. This could be a lopsided game, in which his minutes get cut some. The Magic are hard pressed to score in general and the Lakers were top D team in the NBA before LBJ got hurt.

The Lakers will be looking to bounce back after being embarrassed at home by the Bulls on Sunday. They allowed 146 points in that game. LeBron James is expected to play Monday and Luka Doncic isn’t on the injury report. Jaxson Hayes has even been playing well since returning from injury. The Magic are 4-8 over their last 12 games and they are 4-7 ATS as a home underdog this season. Take the Lakers to cover.

After humiliating themselves on defense in LeBron's return game Saturday, expect a more-focused effort from the Lake Show as they begin a new road trip. The Bulls were mostly wide open all night when hitting nearly 60% from the floor and humbling the Lakers by a 146-115 count at Crypto.com. It was by far LA's worst defensive effort of the season and a reminder that with the playoffs looming, there is no Anthony Davis around any longer as a blockade at the hoop. But the Lakers should have focus vs. a Magic side that won in LA on November 22. Orlando has finally started to stir with Paolo Banchero firing away, but the Magic have mostly trended under this season. Play Lakers-Magic Under.

This is a big number for Franz who is certainly a solid playmaker but averages under 5.0 APG on the season. Wagners usage and assists total also takes a significant hit when he plays alongside Paolo Banchero, with Paolo in the lineup, Franz averages just 3.7 APG per game, compared to 6.4 without him. I would also rate this a difficult matchup versus a Laker team that has been playing very slow.

Give me the Lakers to bounce back after a horrific effort Saturday night vs. the middling Bulls. Showtime that was not in LBJ's return and their full set of starters do not give up 145 points. What a film session that must have prompted. The Magic can't score, anyway. The Lakers lost by 29 and 31 in the last two games. Human nature - they are taking that out on the Magic here. Coach JJ Reddick will take away the deep ball and get the Lakers' D back where it needs to be. Luka looks far better now than when he got to LA. Timing is everything, and this is the right time to back the Lakers.