New Jersey Nets AT Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 14, 2011 at 10:30 PM EST
Opening Line: L.A. -14
Current Line: L.A. -13.5
Opening Total: 191.5
Current Total: 192
Opening Moneyline: L.A. -1600 / N.J. +1000
Current Moneyline: L.A. -1800 / N.J. +1050
All teams have their rough stretches, and for the most part, it looks like the Lakers are done with theirs. They have come around to win six straight and seek their seventh tonight against the underdog New Jersey Nets. NBA Oddsmakers have not set the line close at all tonight, and given the recent play of New Jersey’s best player Brook Lopez, it is easy to see why the Nets are such underdogs.
While the Lakers have been winning, they are certainly not content with their play. “I think we are still a work in progress of getting better as a team, and especially defensively, which is always a key factor,” forward Pau Gasol told the Lakers’ official website.
Last game between the teams, the Nets covered the spread, losing by only 7. Kobe had a typical Kobe game, scoring 32, but 25 of those 32 were in the second half. “He always has that look. Nine times out of 10 he’s successful,” teammate Ron Arest said in reference to Bryant, “Actually, it’s like 9.5 times out of 10 he’s successful.”
Some betting trends:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey’s last 10 games and they are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games. They are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 and 0-5 SU in their last 5 road gamse. They are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 road games and they are 0-5 SU in their last 5 against the Lakers. They are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 against L.A. an dthe total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 against the Lakers. New Jersey is 5-12 SU in their last 17 road games in L.A.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Lakers’ past 7 games. The Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games and they are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games. The Lakers are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 home games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 home games. They are 5-1 SU in their last 6 at home and the total has gone UNDER In 4 of their last 6 against the Nets.
Key Matchup:
Brook Lopez vs. Pau Gasol
This matchup represents two of the best centers in the league, but only one is playing like it. Last prop bet, I went with the ‘under’ on Lopez, and he once again went under. He has averaged under 10 points per game and roughly 3 boards for the last 4 games and is not looking like an All star or cornerstone to a franchise as he was once considered to be. Perhaps worst of all is his rebounding. Last year he had a respectable 7+ rebounds per game but this year is under 6. It’s just not acceptable from a player with his size and stature. Pau Gasol certainly won’t represent an easy task for him either. Gasol is having another great year and is considered by most to be the most offensively talented center in the league. His variety of moves and inside-outside game renders him a tough cover for most big men.
Any chance the Nets have lies in Lopez playing like the player we thought he was. They are huge underdogs in tonight’s game and Devin Harris will have to take advantage of Steve Blake and Derek Fisher, as he is a better player than both by a wide margin.
