Lakers at Warriors: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (-1.5, 207)
The Los Angeles Lakers did not fare so well when they attempted to work Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol back into the rotation on Friday. With two more days of practice under their belts, the Lakers will try to have a better showing when they visit the surging Golden State Warriors on Monday. The Warriors are one of the teams the Lakers are trying to track down in the Western Conference, though holding off the Utah Jazz is of greater importance.
Gasol returned from a 20-game absence on Friday but struggled to get back into a rhythm in 20 minutes while his teammates let a late lead slip away against the lowly Washington Wizards. Golden State got to face that same Wizards team on Saturday and won with ease as Stephen Curry stayed hot from beyond the arc and David Lee recorded his customary double-double. The Lakers are 2 1/2 games behind Golden State, with the Houston Rockets sitting in between the two. The No. 6 spot means avoiding San Antonio and Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs, though the rest of the teams at the top could be just as tough.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (36-34): Los Angeles has dropped back-to-back games to two of the worst teams in the league and drew harsh criticism after Friday’s loss from coach Mike D’Antoni, who said, “I can’t explain it, but every time we get up by 16, it’s like ‘Well we’re good and we don’t have to play hard,’ and we start messing with the game…(when) you start messing with the basketball gods, they will get you. If we don’t change that, we obviously won’t make the playoffs.” Bryant, who had missed the previous two games with a sprained ankle and the flu, came up short on a tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer and echoed his coach. “It’s a disturbing loss, and we’re upset about it,” Bryant said. “Our defensive intensity slipped a great deal in the second half, and they took advantage of it.” The Lakers are kicking off a four-game road trip at Golden State.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (40-31): Golden State is clinging to a half-game lead over the Rockets for the No. 6 spot but appears to have dodged a bullet when Curry downplayed a right ankle sprain that forced him out in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 101-92 win over Washington. The star guard has dealt with ankle problems for the last few years but told reporters, “I’m fine,” and had the X-rays come back negative. Curry has been on fire lately, going 21-of-38 from 3-point range in the last four games and averaging 29.5 points in that span. The Warriors have won three of their last four with Curry handling the scoring load and Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes and even Lee forming a strong defensive front line. Lee, who has always been known more as an offensive force, has posted four straight double-doubles.
TRENDS:
* Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a loss.
* Warriors are 6-0 ATS in their last six Monday games.
* Over is 5-0 in Lakers’ last five games following a loss.
* Under is 7-0 in Warriors’ last seven vs. Western Conference foes.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Lakers F Antawn Jamison suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist on Friday but is expected to play on Monday.
2. Los Angeles has taken six straight in the series, including a 118-115 overtime victory at Golden State on Dec. 22. Bryant scored 34 points in the win.
3. Curry has struggled to 19 points on 35.9 percent shooting in the two meetings with Los Angeles this season.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Miami at Orlando
All eyes have been on Heats' amazing 26-game win streak (15-11 ATS) but Nuggets have quietly reeled of 15 straight with a 11-4 ATS mark at the betting window. Monday, both streaks will be on the line as Miami heads to Orlando while Denver visits New Orleans. Hard to imagine Miami netting a whopping 103.4 PPG losing to offensively challenged Orlando (94.2). But, cashing has been be troublesome in the Magic Kingdom as Heat are on a 2-10-2 ATS skid last 14 in Orlando. Miami laying 13.0 are in dangerous betting territory, the Heat are on an 1-6 ATS slide laying double digits, 2-8 skid last 10 handing opponents 10 or more points. As for Nuggets, they've beaten Hornets twice this season, 102-84 and 113-98 but both matchups were in Denver. The Hornets all-a-buzz after defeating Celtics 87-86 and most recently Grizzlies 90-83 on home court behind some lock-down defense could sting short handed Nuggets with Ty Lawson (16.9) questionable, Wilson Chandler (11.8) out indefinitely. New Orleans playing solid 'D' are worth a second look as Hornets are a smart 10-4 ATS following a game in which they allowed =< 90 points, Nuggets 3-8 ATS netting =< 100 points.
Monday's NBA Betting News and Notes
By Covers.com
Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards (+3, 181.5)
The Grizzlies have won three of their last four and 17 of 21 after a 110-106 win over Boston on Saturday. The Wizards have won five in a row at the Verizon Center and five of their last seven overall. The under is 6-1 in the Grizzlies’ last seven overall.
Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (+12.5, 198)
The Miami Heat have not lost since Feb. 1, but one of their closest calls during their spectacular 26-game winning streak was a one-point home victory over the Orlando Magic on March 6. Dwyane Wade (knee) sat out Sunday's mauling of Charlotte and is questionable. The injury-riddled Magic are mired in a six-game losing streak and have dropped 21 of 25 games since Miami last tasted defeat. The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers (-7.5, 186.5)
Indiana has been without David West (back) for the last four games and Danny Granger (knee) for 10 straight, robbing the team of its two veteran leaders. The Hawks will try to take advantage of West’s absence with Al Horford and Josh Smith down low. Indiana took a 114-103 decision from the Hawks at home on Feb. 5. Atlanta had taken four straight meetings before the loss on Feb. 5, including the first two this season. The Pacers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning record.
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Hornets (+7, 202)
While their position near the bottom of the Western Conference standings implies one thing, the Hornets are not an easy out right now. They have won two in a row and are a respectable 11-8 at home in 2013 after solid wins over Boston and Memphis. The Nuggets have matched a franchise record with 15 straight wins. Guard Ty Lawson (heel) has missed two straight games but did practice Sunday and is listed as probable for this one. He had 21 points and 13 assists in Denver's 113-98 win over New Orleans in the previous meeting Feb. 1. The over is 8-1-1 in the Nuggets’ last 10 road games.
Philadelphia 76ers at Utah Jazz (-7, 192.5)
Philadelphia halted a 15-game road losing streak with a 117-103 victory in Sacramento on Sunday night. It was the Sixers' first win away from home since New Year's Day. Utah has lost four straight overall and 12 of 15 after completing a three-game winless trek through Texas with a 113-108 defeat in Dallas on Sunday night. The Jazz have won six consecutive home games against Philadelphia and the home team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings overall.
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (-1, 204)
Golden State is clinging to a half-game lead over the Rockets for the No. 6 spot but appears to have dodged a bullet when Curry downplayed a right ankle sprain that forced him out in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 101-92 win over Washington. Curry is expected to suit up vs. the Lakers. Los Angeles has dropped back-to-back games to two of the worst teams in the league but has taken six straight in the series, including a 118-115 overtime victory at Golden State on Dec. 22. The over is 5-0 in the Lakers’ last five games following a loss.