Posted on
1/25/2008 1:50:31 PM
NBA Basketball Free Picks – Lakers at Mavericks
By Eric Williams
While the Los Angeles Lakers, (27-13 SU, 23-16 ATS, 19-20 O/U) have overachieved all season in recording their surprising straight up (SU) record, the Dallas Mavericks, (28-13 SU, 18-21-2 ATS, 21-20 O/U) have been one of the more inconsistent and perplexing teams in the league despite their overabundance of talent on what may be the league’s deepest roster.
The Lakers, who have been without blossoming young center Andrew Bynum, the league’s field goal percentage leader, since he injured his knee on Jan. 13 against the Memphis Grizzlies, lost on the road to the San Antonio Spurs 103-91 on Wednesday.
Bynum, who was averaging 3.1 points and a team-leading 10.2 rebounds, is expected back in the lineup in approximately two months, putting the focus back on all-star shooting guard Kobe Bryant who is averaging 27.4 points per game on the season but has raised that mark recently, averaging 33.0 points his last six games and 31.0 points in the four since Bynum's injury.
The Mavericks are coming off a 102-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday but has alternated wins and losses in their last four games.
The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games while the Mavericks are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five contests.
Dallas has won two straight against the Lakers and four of the last five.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.
Key Lakers Trends
The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four Friday games.
The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. loss.
The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Key Mavericks Trends
The Mavericks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Mavericks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Mavericks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Lakers last four games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Under is 5-0 in Lakers last five games as a road underdog.
The Under is 5-0 in Mavericks last five Friday games.
The Under is 8-1 in Mavericks last nine after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in the last ten meetings.
The Underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last ten meetings.
Analysis: When the Mavericks beat the Lakers, it’s usually by a ton of points as their last four victories over Los Angeles have been by an average of 18.2 points per game. Take the Mavericks to win and cover against the undermanned Lakers.
NBA Free Picks: Dallas – 7 Points/Over 205½ Total Points
08:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
LA Lakers +7 -110
Dallas Mavericks -7 -110
Over 205½ -110
Under 205½ -110
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