Posted on 3/14/2008 2:58:03 PM

NBA Odds - Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets

By D.S. Williamson

Los Angeles Lakers (+ 1.5) vs. New Orleans Hornets (- 1.5)

Tip-off: 8:05 pm EST.

The Hornets are one game behind the Lakers for the top spot in the Western Conference playoffs. That’s how tough the West is this year. It’s tough every year, but this year it is absolutely crazy. The Hornets have been an okay team against the BetUS NBA Betting spread lately going 6 and 4 in their last 10. Overall this year the Hornets are 20 and 13 at home against the BetUS spread.

The Lakers were at the top of the world just a few games ago, but have fallen on some hard times. Sure, they’re still winning straight-up but against the BetUS spread the Lakers have gone an even 5 and 5. They’ve also gone 0 and 2 against the BetUS spread in their last two games. Here are more trends.

The New Orleans Hornets are 5 and 0 against the spread in their last 5 games at home.

The Los Angeles Lakers are 7-1-1 against the spread in their last 9 games on a Friday night.

The Underdog is 5 and 0 against the spread in the last 5 meetings between these two teams.

The Over is 6 and 1 against the spread in the last 7 meetings between these two teams.

The trends appear to favor the Lakers, but the real story in this game is whether or not the Lakers will play any defense. The Lakers are terrific offensively but lack any sort of defensive pressure in the middle. That could be bad for the Lakers against a well disciplined, terrifically talented bunch like the New Orleans Hornets.

The BetUS over/under in this game is 208 ½. Although that appears high, it’s actually the best wager of the night as the Hornets will run with the Lakers while the Lakers have no choice but to run. This should be a closely contested game with both teams taking shots and making them.

Because of that the over appears to be the best wager in this game. The Lakers should easily score close to 110 points. If that happens, expect the Hornets to either match that total or exceed it. New Orleans is not averse to playing a fast tempo, shoot the three if it’s open, type game.

That means that this thing goes over.

The BetUS Over/Under in the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets game is 208 ½.

I’ll be wagering that this game goes over tonight.

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