posted November 30, 2007 at 18:20 in NBA Articles
Basketball Betting – Lakers (9-6) at Jazz (11-5)
The Los Angeles Lakers, (9-6 ATS, 8-7 O/U) have been one of the league’s pleasant surprises this season despite a ton of hoopla surrounding the numerous trade scenarios involving superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant.
The most surprising aspect of the Lakers’ early-season success is that Los Angeles has actually played better this season the less they have relied on Bryant.
Need proof? Okay, here’s a jaw-dropping fact from the Lakers last victory, a 127-99 shellacking of the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Despite being up by just three points heading into the final quarter, head coach Phil Jackson chose not to play Bryant the entire fourth quarter against the Nuggets because of the Lakers’ reserves were playing “lights-out” basketball in demolishing the Nuggets in the final quarter.
Even though they are playing well at the moment, the Lakers will undoubtedly have their hands full with 2006-07 western conference finalists, the Utah Jazz, (9-7 ATS, 10-6 O/U).
The Jazz have won four of their last five, including a 106-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Power forward Carlos Boozer has been an absolute monster so far this season, averaging 25.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest while blossoming point guard Deron Williams is averaging 18.0 points per game and 9.0 assists per game.
The Lakers have lost five of their last seven games in Salt Lake City.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks:
Key Lakers Trends
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five Friday games.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. win.
The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last eleven games following a SU win of more than ten points.
Key Jazz Trends
The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a SU win of more than ten points.
The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last six after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Pacific.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 4-1 in Lakers last five games following a SU win of more than ten points.
The Under is 4-1 in Lakers last five Friday games.
The Over is 4-0 in Jazz last four vs. NBA Pacific.
The Over is 5-1 in Jazz last six vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Over is 8-3 in the last eleven meetings.
Analysis: While I like the Utah Jazz to win this contest, I just don’t see them winning this game by 8 points over a red-hot Lakers team with a chip on its collective shoulder and a Hall of Fame head coach in their collective ears.
Take the new age version of ‘Michael Jordan and the pre-Scottie Pippen, Jordainaires’ (L.A.) to cover the spread with an outside chance to win outright.
NBA Free Picks: Lakers +7.5 Points/Over 211.5 Total Points
10:35 PM EST NBA Odds
LA Lakers +7½ -110
Utah Jazz -7½ -110
Over 211½ -110
Under 211½ -110
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