Up to NBA Betting Trends

posted May 14, 2008 at 16:29 in NBA Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers, (63-27 SU, 53-34-2 ATS, 43-46 O/U) are back at home after suffering two online betting losses against the Utah Jazz, (60-32 SU, 50-41-1 ATS, 47-44-1 O/U) on the road that have evened their second round sports betting series matchup.

Lakers star shooting guard Kobe Bryant says he is ready to go after injuring his back in the early moments of Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss.

"Quite a bit (of pain), but it's a lot better than it was yesterday," Bryant said with a smile - his mood clearly positive. "It'll be fine."

Bryant, who didn't practice on Tuesday, commented on the importance of having home-court advantage in these wild 2008 playoffs while Utah’s Matt Harpring also shared his views on the subject.

"We know we have home-court advantage. We earned it," Jackson said. "We feel very confident in our building."

"To win the series, we have to win on the road," Harpring said. "So we haven't gotten anywhere yet. The series is basically 0-0 and now it's the best two-out-of-three.

Home teams were 15-1 in the second round entering Tuesday night's action, with only the Detroit Pistons winning on the road, beating the Orlando Magic 90-89 last Saturday.

"That's incredible," Bryant said. "That's why home-court advantage is so important, I guess."

Bryant commented on blossoming Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams, now in his third NBA season.

 

"I love him. He's one of my favorite players in the league," Bryant said, adding he's not one to throw praise around lightly. "I love his toughness, I love his skill."

Lakers reserve Ronny Turiaf was ejected early in the second quarter of Game 4 after committing a flagrant foul but says he will be back with his usual intensity.

"Just because I got ejected doesn't mean I'm going to do anything different," Turiaf said. "I went for the ball like I always do. It's unfortunate what happened. I apologized to Ronnie, he's one of my best friends in the league."

The Lakers were a spotless 6-0 against the spread in the postseason until their last two games that is. L.A. got a push in Game 3 before failing to cover as one-point underdogs in Game 4.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Gambling Free Picks:

The Jazz are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Jazz are 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Lakers are 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Over is 4-0 in Jazz last four Wednesday games.

The Under is 7-1 in Lakers last eight games playing on two days rest.

The Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.

Analysis: Tonight’s meeting between these clubs is just another contest in the 2008 league-wide postseason theme of the home team winning and protecting its home court. Take the Lakers to win and cover the spread here NBA bettors by the narrowest of margins as they haven’t come close to losing at home the entire postseason.

NBA Free Picks: Lakers 112 Jazz 104

10:35 PM EST NBA Playoffs Odds

Utah Jazz +8½ -110

LA Lakers -8½ -110

Over 213½ -110

Under 213½ -110

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