Posted on
1/21/2008 6:58:42 PM
NBA Betting Odds – Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
By Eric Williams
The Los Angeles Lakers, (26-12 SU, 22-15 ATS, 19-18 O/U) have won eight of their last 10 games and are arguably the biggest surprise in the league this season with their strong start to the first half of the regular season, but the Lakers are certainly not the same team with underachieving center Kwame Brown in the middle instead of promising youngster, Andrew Bynum, who leads the Lakers in rebounding and the entire NBA in field goal percentage.
The 20-year-old Bynum was in the midst of a breakout season before suffering a dislocated kneecap last week against the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 13.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while draining 63.6 percent of his shots from the field.
With a roster full of talented players, the Denver Nuggets, (24-15 SU, 19-20 ATS, 20-19 O/U) have to be considered a disappointment for their failure to present themselves as a serious contender in the western conference despite having two of the best scorers in all of basketball in Allen Iverson, (27.1 ppg) and Carmelo Anthony, (25.8 ppg).
The Nuggets have won consecutive games coming into this matchup, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-108 on Saturday.
The Lakers lost their last game with Brown in the middle, snapping their seven-game winning streak with a 106-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns last Thursday.
Los Angeles has failed to cover the spread in three straight games while the Nuggets have also failed to cover in three of their last four contests.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting FreePicks.
Key Nuggets Trends
The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
The Nuggets are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Nuggets are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Key Lakers Trends
The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. loss.
The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 4-0 in Nuggets last four vs. Western Conference.
The Over is 6-1 in Nuggets last seven Monday games.
The Over is 4-0 in Lakers last four games following a S.U. loss.
The Over is 6-1 in Lakers last seven vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Los Angeles.
The Home team is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
The Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings.
Analysis: Take the ‘Under’ here NBA bettors as it is likely just a tad too high tonight. Additionally, I say take the Nuggets to cover the spread against a Bynum-less Lakers team that should have trouble scoring in the post against Nuggets defensive ace, Marcus Camby.
NBA Free Picks: Under 223½ Total Points/Nuggets +4½ Points
10:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Denver Nuggets +4½ -110
LA Lakers -4½ -110
Over 223½ -110
Under 223½ -110
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