Melo, Kobe Both Out?
By Brobury Sports
The Western Finals rematch between Denver and the Lakers could be played without Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. Here’s tonight’s preview from BroburySports.com.
There is no spread yet as Bryant is questionable and Anthony doubtful (both with ankles). ESPN will have the coverage at 10:30 pm ET.
Denver (33-16 SU, 22-25-2 ATS) has the second best record in the West despite dealing with key injuries. Point guard Chauncey Billups missed time earlier, and Anthony has been out for two different stints.
The Nuggets are 4-2 SU (3-3 ATS) in Anthony’s latest absence. They did lose their last game, 109-97 at home to Phoenix on Wednesday. Joey Graham has been starting in Anthony’s place, with J.R. Smith getting increased minutes off the bench.
The Lakers and Nuggets have met once this year after their great playoff battle. It came on Nov. 13 and Denver got the 105-79 blowout as four-point home favorites. L.A.’s Pau Gasol was injured for that game. Anthony had 25 points and he’s the one player the Lakers’ defense really fears.
Denver did ‘cover’ two games in L.A. during the playoffs (winning one), but are just 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games in L.A. The ‘under’ is 5-1 in the last six meetings in L.A. and 11-3 in the last 14 meetings overall.
Lakers glad to be home
Los Angeles has the best record in the West at 38-12 straight-up (SU). The ATS mark is only 22-26-2 after a failure to ‘cover’ Wednesday night against Charlotte.
The Lakers were playing their first home game after ending a grueling eight-game trip. They went a respectable 5-3 SU and 4-3-1 ATS away. The team got a thrilling win over hated Boston, but lost a game to LeBron James and Cleveland.
Against Charlotte, the Lakers struggled even through the Bobcats were playing without second-leading scorer Gerald Wallace (hamstring). L.A. pulled out a late win, as they’ve done often this year, but didn’t come close to ‘covering’ the 10 ½-point spread.
Kobe Bryant aggravated his ankle to go along with his already broken finger. He had just five points on 2-of-12 shooting. He’d love to redeem himself tonight if healthy enough.
Bet on the Lakers and Nuggets at BroburySports