NBA Basketball
2011-02-23 - LA Lakers at Portland
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 23 February 2011 - Tip-Off 10:30pm ET
3:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
This is the time of the season when the LA Lakers (39-19) once again get focused to make a run to the NBA Finals. Currently they are behind Dallas and San Antonio in the race for the Number 1 seed in the West, but it is clear from Kobe Bryant's recent comments that the team is ready to play in the second half of the season.
After beating one team destined for the Play Offs in the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers continue this tough stretch with a visit to the Rose Garden to take on the Portland Trail Blazers (32-24), another team with their own Play Off aspirations, and who could be boosted by the return of Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby.
Portland entered the All-Star break on a 6 game tear, thanks mainly to the play of LaMarcus Aldridge who has put the team on his back in the absence of the more well known stars. Aldridge has averaged 26.3 points per game and 9.7 rebounds since December 15th and seemed to take some real offence in being overlooked for the All-Star Game on Sunday.
A win here for Portland would see the team reach their highest winning streak since 2007.
Brandon Roy felt confident he would be returning to the rotation after participating in practice yesterday, although it will be a game time decision. Marcus Camby was less optimistic of making it back for this game.
Kobe Bryant had been pumping up Pau Gasol and the rest of his team by getting them ready over the All-Star weekend to kick on in the regular season. He saw a positive reaction in the 24 point dismantling of the Hawks last night and the 5 starters were all given an extended rest with a big lead going into the 4th Quarter.
Bryant will be looking to return to good things at the Rose Garden where he has averaged 33.9 points per game in his last 13 visits. The star scored just 12 points in his last meeting with the Trail Blazers.
Head to Head
Portland had won 9 games at home in the series between the teams but actually lost the last time they played at the Rose Garden.
The Lakers won a meeting between the two at the Staples Center earlier this season.
The underdog is 20-7 against the spread in the last 27 games in the series.
The home team is 7-2 against the spread in the last 9 games.
Portland are 15-11 against the spread at home this season, LA are 15-14-1 on the road.
The Lakers are 6-4-1 against the spread in games on back to back nights this season.
Other Interesting Notes
Portland are 35-16 against the spread in their last 51 games as the home underdog.
This becomes 25-11 against the spread when they are given between 0.5 and 4.5 points at home.
The Lakers are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games at a team with a winning home record.
Prediction
I am going to go against the trends and history of this game and back the Lakers to come away with an important win here. My reasons are:
The Lakers have made it clear that they are ready to make an assualt on the West and they have a point to prove against other Play Off teams. The last time they had this kind of motivation and talk, they beat Boston and New York on the road in consecutive nights.
Phil Jackson was also able to rest his starters for long stretches yesterday so there will be no excuses surrounding their fatigue.
LA should also be fully focused on this game with an 'easier' looking game coming up next. Portland may have one eye on the Denver game on Friday as that is a team more likely to threaten the Trail Blazers Play Off berth, especially in terms of seeding.
Brandon Roy was not in the line up when the Lakers won the last 2 games against Portland, and if he cannot play a full part, Portland may not have an edge here.
Finally, the All-Star break may have cooled off the Trail Blazers and LaMarcus Aldridge and the Lakers may get too far ahead if Portland struggle to find their rhythm early.
The Pick :
Portland Trail Blazers 98-102 LA Lakers
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the LA Lakers - 2 Points @ 1.95 (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak- the direct link is below
