Posted on
3/4/2008 4:19:25 PM
NBA Wagering – Kings Looking To Hold Court Against Hot Lakers
By Eric Williams
While the Los Angeles Lakers, (42-18 SU, 37-21-1 ATS, 28-31 O/U), are getting more than their share of national news for their winning ways, prior to and following the acquisition of seven-footer Pau Gasol, the Sacramento Kings, (27-32 SU, 31-27-1 ATS, 31-24-4 O/U), have struggled to reach respectability in head coach Reggie Theus’ first season at the helm.
The Lakers will face the Sacramento Kings tonight in the first of four matchups that the teams have scheduled over the final weeks of the regular season.
Los Angeles comes into tonight’s contest having won 11 of their last 12 games, including a spectacular 108-104 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in which Kobe Bryant scored 30 of his 52 points after halftime while draining 17 consecutive free throws.
"We gave him a single look, then we double-teamed him, then we gave him a triple-team and he split the triple-team and scored," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "We tried to zone him, we tried to funnel him in the trap for a zone and he went the other way. He didn't cooperate on any of our defenses."
The Kings have won just four of their last ten games, but come into tonight’s contest coming off a solid 120-109 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday in which they trailed by 20 points, (69-49), at halftime.
Defensive star Ron Artest, who scored a team-high 32 points, said his team’s character helped them overcome such a huge deficit.
"Sometimes in this league you are going to be down 20 points. As long as you keep fighting you are going to get it back," said Artest.
Sacramento is a mediocre 4-5-1 against the spread, (ATS), in its last ten games while the Lakers have covered the spread in seven of their last ten games, but have failed to cover in their last two games.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight Tuesday games.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
The Kings are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Kings are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Under is 5-1 in Lakers last six after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Over is 5-0 in Kings last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Over is 6-0 in the last six meetings in Sacramento.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Analysis: While I like the Lakers to pick up the win tonight, something tells me the Kings are going to come with a solid effort while covering the spread in a losing effort. Take the Kings to cover, but the Lakers to win.
NBA Free Picks: Sacramento +6½ Points/Over 202 Total Points
10:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
LA Lakers -6½ -110
Sacramento Kings +6½ -110
Over 220½ -110
Under 220½ -110
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