Raptors on a 2 game skid. Now they're back home to exact revenge on their 1 point loss last 11/15 to Phoenix. Calderon and the boys will see that as extra motivation to get the W. Play of the day: Toronto +2
Small Play: Hou+3
Rockets on a 2 game SU loss as well. I see this defensive team bouncing back and getting the W at OKC. They've never had b2b losses this season and if you follow the trend, Houston wins SU and ATS after every loss (except for the SAC game @ home). Meanwhile, OKC this season tends to lax after b2b wins.
BOL to everyone. Would appreciate comments from other cappers...
Something caught my attention as of late. I’ve been missing Mr. Grumpy’s Scowl. Good things happen when he unleashes the “menacing-beaver look”. For instance, game 5 and game 6 of the Denver series, Lakers won and covered both games. And after that, there was a glimpse of it in the demolition job on Orlando in game 1@ Staples. That was the last time I saw it. I think tonight will be the night.
5/6 HOU@LA Lose & did not cover game 1, won and covered game 2 111-98
5/12 HOU@LA Lose & did not cover game 4, won and covered game 5 118-78
5/17 HOU@LA Lose & did not cover game 6, won and covered game 7 89-70
5/21 LA@DEN Lose & did not cover game 2, won and covered game 3 106-103
5/27 DEN@LA Lose & did not cover game 4, won and covered game 5 103-94
LAKERS are a consistent (I dislike using that word on the Lakeshow) 6-0 ATS in the playoffs when coming from a loss whether on the road or at home. With the game 3 Orlando win, LA’s homecourt advantage is threatened. Something Phil Jackson constantly preaches to his players about. Remember, Phil Jackson sent this message to his team when he declared after the Game 4 no-show in Houston that "as long as we have homecourt advantage, we'll be alright."* For this reason alone, the Lakers will have a better effort specially on defense. Kobe will put up a more balanced performance specially after reading the article in Yahoo criticizing him gassing out after that 17pt 1st quarter outburst, 31pt for the whole game on 11-25 shooting. Not mentioning the 5 missed FT’s. I guess constantly putting fresh bodies on him is taking its toll but hey, if he really says who he really is then he’s gotta show up. Gasol will have his usual 20 points 10 rebounds and hopefully more touches. Key players like Odom & Bynum will come out stronger. Plus, I see a decline in the out-of-this-world 62.5% shooting percentage of Magic which is by the way an NBA Finals record (some of their makes in Amway were ridiculous). And with Crawford & the company men hanging out in Orlando (you know what happened in the dying seconds of game 3: D12 phantom foul that should have been a jumpball), you just know that he has an itchy trigger-finger when Kobe hogs the ball. Just like what another capper said... NBA “Where amazing refs happen” :-)
The only thing scaring me is that the public is still pounding on the Lakers and so far the trend this Finals has been Lakers-Orlando-Lakers. If the trend follows then we’re bound for a Magic win but who knows LA still covers with the poor Orlando execution in crunch time. Still, I’m taking MR. GRUMPY and the points. BOL
*Quote from Mr.B
After today's highwire act at Phoenix (I thought Matt Barnes was gonna do a Grant Hill, glad he didn't), I need a less-suspenseful solid pick for NBA Thursday.
LAK@DET+7.5-Leaning towards the lakeshow on this one. I think the golden boys will continue wreaking havoc in this 6 game/10 day road trip that they are currently in. Covering both Chi Town and Oklahoma Chokers convincingly. There was a road trip from Jan30-Feb8 that Lakers went on a tear covering all 6 games. Will hisory repeat itself? Have they finally understood the meaning of "killer instinct"?
No AI, Sheed and Rip. Will KB24 breeze through or will the old champs bring their spirit back in the bldg for the final playoff run? What do you think?
Looking forward to hear from my fellow bettors....