2010 NBA Betting Preview - Desperate Suns in L.A.
The Phoenix Suns hope to make it a series when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Here’s the preview from BroburySports.com.
Los Angeles is a seven-point home favorite with a total of 215-points. Tip-off is 9 pm ET. Brobury has Los Angeles as huge -600 series favorites after opening at -340.
L.A.’s series price jump was predictable. They won 128-107 in Game 1 as six-point ‘chalk.’ The Lakers have played the Suns three times at home this year and won each by at least 19 points. That is what you call domination.
Kobe Bryant was the key last game (not a shocker) with 40 points. Having a week off really helped him recover from injuries, specifically his ailing knee which reportedly got drained.
The Lakers shot a whopping 58 percent from the field, with big man Pau Gasol going 10-of-13. The Suns were supposed to be improved defensively, especially with center Robin Lopez returning from his back injury, but they didn’t play like it.
Rebounding was also a trouble spot as L.A. had a 42-34 advantage. Lamar Odom had 19 boards, including seven on the offensive glass. That is almost inexcusable for Phoenix.
The Suns’ bench was supposed to be a bright spot as they go five deep. However, they were outscored 44-35 despite playing more minutes.
So the question remains, what must Phoenix do to win Game 2 and get back into the series? The first thing is get guard Jason Richardson going.
Phoenix is 31-4 SU when he scores 20 points or more. He scored 15 points (6-of-12 shooting) in the opener.
The bigger problem for Phoenix is Bryant. He is what LeBron James is not, the best closer since Michael Jordan and a guy who can will his team to playoff victories. Phoenix has 37 year-old Grant Hill guarding him and that’s almost an insult despite the fact he’s in good shape.
The Lakers have now won seven straight games (going 6-1 ATS). The ‘over’ is 7-1-1 in their last nine games which is why the ‘total’ jumped up to 215 points tonight.
Can Phoenix settle down and give the vaunted Lakers a game at home?
You decide at BroburySports.com.