NBA Weekend Preview - Double Dose of the Lakers

NBA Weekend:  Lakers Travel to Denver on Friday and Take on Houston on Sunday

It’s time to take a look at the three biggest games of the weekend.  The Los Angeles Lakers, as can be expected, are involved in two of the games, a Friday night throw down against the Denver Nuggets and a Sunday game against the Houston Rockets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Utah Jazz in Saturday’s top game.

Let’s take a look at all three games.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

Game-night:  11/13/2009

Tip-off:  10:30 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Denver -3

Analysis:  It doesn’t matter whether or not Los Angeles wins on Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns.  After all, the Suns are going to force the Lakers into a quick paced game.  So, even if the Kobesters beat the Nashters on Thursday night, they’re going to be tired.

Will the Nuggets have enough to cover a 3 point spread?  Denver is 4 and 5 ATS but have a seriously tough front line with Nene, ‘Melo and Kenyon Martin.  Chris Andersen off the bench is pretty tough as well.  It adds up to a tall order for the Lakers who will be without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.  Throw in the fact that they figure to be sun drenched by the time the Friday game starts and all of a sudden, L.A. goes down by at least 4 points.

Pick:  Denver Nuggets at -3

Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Game-night:  11/13/2009

Tip-off:  7:30 pm EST

Expected NBA Odds:  Cleveland -8 ½

Analysis:  Cleveland gets a break on Friday after taking on Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat on Thursday night.  Like the Lakers, it won’t matter if LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal beat Wade and the Heat on Thursday night.

There’s little chance that the Cavs don’t dominate a Utah team that is 3 and 5 straight-up and 2 and 6 overall ATS.  The Jazz face Philadelphia on Friday night before traveling to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers.

It won’t be an easy trip because Philly isn’t a bad team.  When it comes to matchups, Shaq and LeBron tower over Carlos Boozer and the Utah backcourt.  Yes, Jazz point guard Deron Williams is a stud, but in order to beat the Cavs you have to go at them in waves and Utah’s bench just seems too thin.

Williams will have to work too hard to get to his 20 point average against James and the Cavs.  That means that the Cavs win this easily.

Pick:  Cleveland Cavaliers at -10 ½ or lower

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Game-day:  11/14/2009

Tip-off:  3:30 pm EST

Expected NBA Odds:  L.A. -10 ½

Analysis:  These two teams played each other on Nov. 4th and the Rockets, without Yao Ming, actually played the Lakers very well.

L.A. won that game 103 to 102 in overtime, but don’t expect such a close game this Sunday.  L.A. gets the Rockets at home on Sunday and there’s no doubt that the Lakers are tougher at Staple Center than they are on the road.

Not only are the Rockets without Yao Ming but they’re also without Tracey McGrady.  That doesn’t bode well for them as Kobe and the Lakers will be fired up after a Saturday of rest.