Bryant leads Lakers north to face Raptors
Hoops fans and bettors alike will have a busy night on Friday as there are nine games on the NBA schedule. But the focus will be on the Air Canada Center, where Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors will play host to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
This game will be the second of a crucial nine-game road trip for the Lakers, who are currently second in the Pacific Division behind the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers have played well since center Andrew Bynum went down with a partially dislocated kneecap, which is surprising given the huge improvement of the young center. But as long as the Lakers have Kobe Bryant, they always have a chance to win any game.
Bryant, who is averaging 27.8 points per game, is also adding 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per outing as he appears to be working towards being a more all-around player. Bryant is also learning to trust his teammates more than he has in the past, which was largely unforeseen because this is one of the youngest teams Bryant has ever been a part of in LA.
The Raptors have won eight of their last ten games and they are behind only Boston in the Atlantic Division. A big part of this run has been the play of their inside/outside duo, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon, who are both playing like All-Stars although only Bosh got the call this week.
Bosh is finally healthy after plodding through the start of the season due to a knee injury, and he has spent a lot of time working on the mechanics of his jumper. Bosh now has to be considered a threat from anywhere inside 20 feet, and he is even good for the occasional three-pointer, although head coach Sam Mitchell will want his power forward down on the blocks. Calderon has the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA, and he has recently shown an ability to attack the basket late in the game. This will help the Raptors as Calderon draws double-teams, as he can finish or pass, and he is spectacular from the foul line.
The Lakers have won three of their last five meetings with the Raptors, including their past two trips to the Air Canada Center. Most will remember Bryant's monster 81-point performance against the Raptors in Los Angeles two years ago.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Washington Wizards
- The Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Verizon Center.
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant exploed for 46 points in Friday's 121-101 win at Toronto, coming in as 7-point road underdogs. The 222 points scored were OVER the posted total of 205.5.
Sasha Vujacic had 22 points, and Lamar Odom put up 12 points, ten rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers.
Washington shot 37.9% from the field in Friday's 96-87 loss to Utah, falling as 5.5-point home underdogs. The 183 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 205.5.
Antawn Jamison poured in a game-high 31 points, and Andray Blatche had 19 points and 13 boards for the Wizards.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 29-16 SU, 26-18-1 ATS
Washington: 24-21 SU, 27-17-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing New Jersey are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
Washington most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
LA Lakers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 12 games when playing Washington
LA Lakers are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 15 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Washington's last 12 games when playing LA Lakers
Next up:
LA Lakers at New Jersey, Tuesday, February 5
Washington at Philadelphia, Tuesday, February 5
Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons
- The Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Mavericks were defeated 96-90 by the Celtics last time out, as 1.5-point underdogs. The 186 points fell UNDER the posted total of 188.5.
Dirk Nowitzki had a double-double in the loss with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pistons outplayed the Lakers in the fourth quarter and earned a 90-89 victory last time out. The Pistons failed to cover the 8-point spread, and the 179 points were well UNDER the posted total of 197.
Tayshaun Prince scored 22 points, and Chauncey Billups added 16 for the Pistons.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 31-14 SU, 19-23-3 ATS
Detroit: 33-13 SU, 27-18-1 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing LA Lakers are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Dallas's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Dallas's last 24 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit's last 12 games at home
Next up:
Dallas at Orlando, Monday, February 4
Detroit home to Miami, Wednesday, February 6
College Hoops Matchups –Trendy Talk
North Carolina at Florida State
North Carolina (20-1, 14-4 ATS) makes one more trip to the Sunshine State, taking on Florida State. The Tar Heels dominated Miami-Fl in last visit and is 13-3 ATS off a straight up victory. Coach Roy Williams has been especially pleased with point guard Ty Lawson, who is performing back to early season levels. The Seminoles are glad to see January disappear, with 2-5 mark and never covering spread. In fact. Florida State owns one cover since November 27. A lack of confidence has led to slow starts, causing the ‘Noles to play catch-up the rest of the game. Another rough opening signals game over against North Carolina.
The Tar Heels are 9-1 and 7-1 ATS with two days between games.
Key Players in this contest – Ty Lawson –UNC, Toney Douglas – FSU
playbook.com
Mavs G Devin Harris (15 ppg; ankle) and F Jerry Stackhouse (10 ppg; hamstring) are listed as out of Sunday's game.
Wizards F Caron Butler (flu and hip injury) has been downgraded to doubtful for today's game.