Posted on
3/11/2008 5:32:49 PM
Basketball Wagering - Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
By Eric Williams
The Los Angeles Lakers, (44-19 SU, 39-22-1 ATS, 30-32 O/U), and the game’s best finisher – Kobe Bryant - fell apart in their last contest against the visiting Sacramento Kings, losing 114-113 while uncharacteristically, failing to close out a mediocre Kings team despite being at home.
The Lakers, know that every game from here on out is crucial in the ultra-competitive western conference where just a few games separate first place from the eighth and final spot in the conference playoffs.
I think we lost this one from the onset - coming out with the right sense of purpose and execution," Bryant said. "I think it's a good wakeup call for us."
The Toronto Raptors, (34-28 SU, 33-28-1 ATS, 35-27 O/U), come into tonight’s matchup off a solid 114-106 home win over the Seattle Supersonics on Sunday, but know they will have their work cut out in trying to stop Bryant in particular.
"He's the best one-on-one player in the league, hands down," Toronto All-Star forward Chris Bosh said. "It makes it tougher on us to help because he wasn't really selfish with the ball tonight. He played a great game."
The Raptors, who kick off a five-game road trip with tonight’s meeting, are fighting to improve their own playoff positioning in the eastern conference where they are currently the conference’s fifth seed. Toronto will also face Golden State, Denver, Sacramento and Utah on the trip.
Bosh has missed five consecutive games for Toronto while nursing a knee injury and has gone just 2-3 over that span and a mediocre 5-5 both, straight up and against the spread in their last ten games overall and
L.A. has won eight of their last ten but has covered the spread in just six of ten over the same span.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Raptors are 9-3 ATS in their last twelve games following a ATS loss.
The Raptors are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games following a S.U. win.
The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Lakers are 10-1 ATS in their last eleven vs. Eastern Conference.
The Over is 4-0 in Raptors last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Over is 4-0 in Lakers last four games following a S.U. loss.
The Favorite is 6-2-2 ATS in the last ten meetings.
The Raptors are 2-6-2 ATS in the last ten meetings.
Analysis: Without Bosh, the Raptors won’t be able to muster up enough offense to cover this spread in L.A., particularly with the Lakers coming off a home loss to a marginal team in their last contest. Take the Lakers to get their ‘mojo’ back against the Raptors tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Lakers -11½ Points/Under 212 Total Points
10:35 PM EST Basketball Odds
Toronto Raptors +11½ -110
LA Lakers -11½ -110
Over 212 -110
Under 212 -110
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