NBA Playoff Betting Preview
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 3-1)
Thursday, 9:05 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 7 , Total  193.5

The Los Angeles Lakers will try and advance to the NBA Finals by eliminating the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.  The Lakers are a perfect 7-0 at home in the playoffs this season and in their last 21 home playoff games are 18-3.  Since moving to Staples Center before the 1999-2000 season the Lakers have topped the 100 points mark in over half of their postseason home games.  The Lakers are not overconfident heading home though. “We’re confident, but we’re not relaxed at all. It’s going to be a battle in Game 5.” the Lakers’ Pau Gasol said, “We want to definitely take advantage of the opportunity we have to close them out and to move on.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Spurs on the Road.

The Lakers took control of the series by winning Game 5 in San Antonio on Tuesday as Kobe Bryant had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.  The Lakers led all the way but San Antonio had a chance at the end of the game but Brent Barry missed a last second shot. Tim Duncan led all scorers with 29 points and 17 rebounds.  The Spurs know they let a golden chance slip away. “Obviously losing at home, giving up 20+ points in second chance points, points off turnovers and losing by two.” Duncan said, “So all of that combined, when you put all of that together, it was a game that we really could have and really should have won.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 8 , Total  193.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Thursday’s game.  The Spurs are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 Conference Finals games. The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as an underdog.

The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games. The Lakers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.

The Under is 6-0 in the Spurs last 6 vs. the Pacific. The Under is 4-0 in the Spurs last 4 games as a road underdog. The Under is 7-0 in the Spurs last 7 overall. The Under is 11-5 in the Spurs last 16 Thursday games.

The Under is 7-0 in the Lakers last 7 Thursday games. The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: While it looks like the Lakers will win this one to my surprise, I cant count out the Spurs here or at least a cover with the high line. Spurs 4units

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 2-1)
Tuesday, 9:05 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Spurs  - 4.5 , Total  192

The San Antonio Spurs will try and even up the best of seven Western Conference Finals on Tuesday as they host the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Spurs got back in the series on Sunday as Manu Ginobili hit five three pointers and scored 30 points overall to lead San Antonio.  Kobe Bryant had 30 points for the Lakers but didn’t get much help.  “I got to the point where I couldn’t make a shot,” said Lamar Odom, who was 2-of-11 from the field and had only 7 points on Sunday.  Pau Gasol had 15 points while Derek Fisher had just two points. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Spurs at Home.

The Spurs played a very good game on Sunday and need a repeat performance if they are to even the series on Tuesday. “Making shots is part of it. And we did a better job of that,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They missed some shots that could have gone in without a doubt.”  Game Four on Tuesday has the potential to be a great one if the Lakers bounce back as expected.

SBG Global Current Line: Spurs  - 4 , Total  192

Here are the NBA betting stats for Tuesday’s game. The Lakers are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 games as a road underdog. The Lakers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 Tuesday games. The Lakers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Lakers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall. The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.

The Spurs are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite. The Spurs are 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 Tuesday games. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams and the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Under is 5-1 in the Lakers last 6 games as a road underdog. The Over is 4-1 in the Lakers last 5 Tuesday games.

The Under is 5-0 in the Spurs last 5 vs. the Pacific. The Under is 5-0 in the Spurs last 5 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Under is 6-0 in the Spurs last 6 overall. The Under is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings in San Antonio between the two teams.

Pick: Spurs 4units, as long as Ginobli plays and well the Spurs will dominate

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 1-0)
Friday, 9:05 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 6.5, Total  193

The San Antonio Spurs let a golden chance slip away in Game One against the Los Angeles Lakers as they blew a 20 point third quarter lead and lost 89-85.  “No one gives any excuse,” Spurs guard Tony Parker said, “We were in pretty good shape, had a great lead. We had a great chance to win the game and we just didn’t play well enough in the fourth quarter.” History is now not on the Spurs side. The Lakers are 52-7 when winning Game 1 in a best-of-seven series. The also have owned the Spurs in the postseason.  They have beaten them in seven of their previous 10 postseason matchups, including all three in the conference finals. Further history indicates that the Spurs are facing even more dismal numbers as Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson is a perfect 40-0 when his teams win the opening game of a 7 game series. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers at Home.

Kobe Bryant scored all but two of his 27 points after halftime as the Spurs couldn’t slow him down.  Losing a 20 point lead could be difficult for the Spurs to bounce back from. “Obviously a difficult loss and we had a great opportunity. We didn’t take advantage of it. Hurts like hell.” Spurs head coach Greg Popovich said.  The Lakers are now 7-0 in the postseason at Staples Center and have won 13 straight games overall at home.  The Lakers don’t expect the Spurs to quit though. “We expect them to come back with renewed energy,” said coach Phil Jackson.  Kobe doesn’t believe the Spurs will be crushed by the loss. “I don’t think so,” said Kobe, “They’ve won four championships.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 6.5, Total  192.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Friday’s game. The Spurs are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 Conference Finals games. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games. The Spurs are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games as a road underdog. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

The Lakers are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall. The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 vs. the Southwest. The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Finals games.

The Under is 4-0 in the Spurs last 4 overall. The Under is 4-1-1 in the Spurs last 6 games as a road underdog.

The Over is 11-4 in the Lakers last 15 Friday games. The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.

Pick: Spurs +6.5 3units. I would say outright win here if Ginobli was healthy

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (Game One)
Wednesday, 9:05 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 6.5 , Total  197.5

The defending champion San Antonio Spurs survived against the New Orleans Hornets but to reach the NBA Finals they will have to go through the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant.  The Lakers have home court advantage in this series and that could prove important as Los Angeles is a perfect 6-0 at home in the playoffs and has won 12 straight overall at home. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers at Home.

“We’ve had our battles. We’ve had some great matchups,” the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant said. “It feels great to be back at that level, matching up with San Antonio.”  San Antonio and Los Angeles have combined to win 7 of the last 9 NBA titles. Although the Spurs are the defending champs, the Lakers are favored in this series.  “It’s always great to play against the Lakers,” San Antonio’s Tony Parker said, “Kobe’s at his best; they have a great team. It reminds me of my first couple of years in the league. Back to the rivalry. It will be great.”

The Lakers have not played since last Friday and are well rested while the Spurs had to play in New Orleans on Monday and had a rough trip just getting to Los Angeles.  The Spurs did not even practice on Tuesday. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson did not expect the Spurs lack of rest to be a factor.
“The NBA is a grueling marathon of a season,” he said. “They’ll be rested; they’ll be fine.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 7, Total  196

Los Angeles has owned the Spurs in the post season going 7-3 against them all-time.  The last time they met in the Conference Finals was seven years ago when the Lakers swept the Spurs. The matchups in the series are intriguing with Spurs defensive expert Bruce Bowen guarding Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanovic might be matched against Manu Ginobili, Lamar Odom against Fabricio Oberto, Pau Gasol against Tim Duncan with Derek Fisher guarding Tony Parker.

San Antonio is 6-0 at home and 2-4 on the road in this year’s playoffs. Tony Parker leads the Spurs in scoring in the playoffs at 23.7 points per game.  Manu Ginobili is averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the postseason. Forward Tim Duncan is averaging 19.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. Head coach Gregg Popovich has an all-time record of 100-55 in the playoffs.

MVP Kobe Bryant is leading the Lakers in scoring at 33.3 points per game. Pau Gasol is averaging 20 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the postseason. Head coach Phil Jackson is 187-79 in the postseason.

During the regular season, the teams split four games with each team winning their home games. Here are the betting stats for Wednesday’s game.  The Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Conference Finals games. The Spurs are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. the Pacific. The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog. The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog. The Spurs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days of rest. The Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
The Lakers are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite. The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 NBA betting Conference Finals games. The Lakers are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Southwest. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

The Under is 4-1 in the Spurs last 5 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Over is 4-1 in the Spurs last 5 Conference Finals games. The Over is 5-2 in the Spurs last 7 vs. the Pacific. The Under is 5-2-1 in the Spurs last 8 overall.
The Under is 7-3 in the Spurs last 10 Wednesday games. The Under is 13-6-1 in the Spurs last 20 games as an underdog.

The Over is 4-1 in the Lakers last 5 overall. The Over is 6-2 in the Lakers last 8 Conference Finals games. The Over is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 games as a home favorite. The Over is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: Hard to go against the Spurs in any game, they are built for the post-season. After seven games it may take 1 for them to get there legs back so look for the Lakers to win this one. Lakers -6.5 2units

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz (Lakers lead 3-2)
Friday, 10:35 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz  - 4 , Total  211.5

The Utah Jazz will look to use the NBA’s best home court edge to even their best of seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Lakers won 111-104 on Wednesday and could clinch if they can win at Utah.  The Jazz had a good chance to win Game Five at Los Angeles but let their chance slip away and now must win on Friday to force a Game Seven. “If we lose, we go home,” Utah forward Matt Harpring said. “We certainly don’t want to lose on our home court the last game of the year. No way.”
SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers on the Road.

The Lakers are hurting a little bit entering Friday’s game.  Kobe Bryant is nursing a sore back while other starters are banged up.  Bryant and three other starters sat out Thursday’s practice.  The Lakers would like to win on Friday and give Kobe some extra rest. “The message is being under control. It’s about execution at this point. It’s about winning the game,” Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson said. “There’s a lot of intensity. We probably have to play 10 points better than we did last night (Wednesday) to win it.”

Kobe led the Lakers on Wednesday with 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds. “Incredible, as always,” Lamar Odom said. “Kobe made plays for us when he needed to.”  The Jazz had a number of excellent chances to win Wednesday’s game but couldn’t control rebounds and that cost them the game. “You watch the tape of the game, you wish you could jump in the screen and play it all over again,” said Utah’s Carlos Boozer, “I thought we had the opportunity to take the lead a few times, and looking back on it, it’s definitely frustrating. You put the pressure on the home team if you get the lead.”

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz  - 2, Total  213

About the only positive for the Jazz was that the game gave them confidence that they could win a Game 7 in Los Angeles.  To force that game the Jazz must win on Friday night.  “We’ve got two left with them,” Boozer said. “We’ve got to win tomorrow night to have the second one.” The Jazz are 1-1 when hosting a Game 6 and trailing 3-2 in the series over the past decade.  The loss was in the 1998 NBA Finals when Michael Jordan hit one of his most memorable shots in his career to eliminate the Jazz. “I think it’s exciting myself. I always have loved to be in those situations. If you like to play, what better position could you be in?” Utah head coach Jerry Sloan said. “They have to come and beat us, and we hope we don’t beat ourselves.”

The Jazz are getting excellent play in the series from point guard Deron Williams.  He is averaging almost 23 points and 11 assists in this series. He had 27 points and 10 assists on Wednesday and was the best player for the Jazz.

Here are the NBA betting stats for Friday’s game.  The Lakers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a road underdog. The Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Lakers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Lakers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 Conference Semifinals games. The Lakers are 21-8-2 ATS in their last 31 games as an underdog. The Lakers are 35-17-2 ATS in their last 54 road games. The Lakers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. The Lakers are 3-7-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Utah.

The Jazz are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. The Jazz are 7-2-2 ATS in their last 11 playoff games as a favorite. The Jazz are 38-13-2 ATS in their last 53 games as a home favorite. The Jazz are 39-15-2 ATS in their last 56 home games. The Jazz are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games playing on 1 day of rest. The home team is 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 games as a road underdog. The Over is 10-4 in the Lakers last 14 Friday games.

The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Over is 23-8 in Utah’s last 31 vs. the Pacific. The Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings between the two teams.

Pick: There is no other way to go then to take the home team! Jazz 4 units. Home teams are 20-1 this year, with the lone loss coming from Magic.

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers (Series tied 2-2)
Wednesday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 8.5, Total  214

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit a roadblock in their quest to reach the NBA finals as the Utah Jazz decided it won’t be a cakewalk for the Lakers.  Utah won both of their home games to even the best of seven series at two games each.  They now head to Los Angeles to face a Lakers team that may not have league MVP Kobe Bryant at full strength.  He injured his back in Game Four and was still sore. “Quite a bit (of pain), but it’s a lot better than it was yesterday,” Bryant said, “It’ll be fine.”  Kobe had 33 points in the Game Five overtime loss. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz on the Road.

The Lakers head home where they have owned the Jazz in the past. “We know we have homecourt advantage. We earned it,” Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. “We feel very confident in our building.” Los Angeles is 16-3 at home against the Jazz since Staples Center opened in 1999. “To win the series, we have to win on the road,” Utah’s Matt Harpring said, “So we haven’t gotten anywhere yet. The series is basically 0-0 and now it’s the best two-out-of-three.”  Teams in the 2008 NBA playoffs just haven’t been able to win on the road.  Entering Tuesday night the home teams were 15-1 in the playoffs.  The Jazz know they must win a game on the road and they want it to be on Wednesday.  They know they can’t start out slow and expect to recover. “This is a big game. It’s a momentum game and it puts a lot of pressure on whoever doesn’t win,” Utah’s Deron Williams said. “You can always expect a couple guys to be the same at home and away. I think I have to be one of those guys. You’ve got to be maybe even more aggressive on the road and try to pick up some of the slack. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 8.5, Total  213.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Jazz are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as an underdog. The Jazz are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Jazz are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles

The Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Lakers are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Semifinals games. The home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings between the two teams.

The Over is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 Wednesday games. The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games as a road underdog. The Over is 22-8 in Utah’s last 30 vs. the Pacific.

The Under is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 overall. The Under is 7-3 in the Lakers last 10 Wednesday games. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: Jazz +8.5 4units - Kobe is banged up without him 100% the Jazz will keep it close!

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 7, Total  209

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to continue their perfect record in the 2008 NBA playoffs as they host the Utah Jazz in game two of their best of seven series on Wednesday. The Lakers dispatched of the Denver Nuggets in round one in a four game sweep and took the first game against the Jazz in this series.  The key for the Lakers was their 16-point advantage at the free throw line in the 109-98 game one victory. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers at Home.

The Lakers actually blew most of a 19 point lead before hitting their last eight free throws to win by 11 points.  The Lakers went 38-46 from the line while the Jazz went 20-32.  The Jazz were physical in game one and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, who won the league MVP award on Tuesday, said he expects that to continue. “I’m sure it will; it’s playoff basketball,” he said. “Utah plays physical anyway. Those guys, they play hard. They’re not talking, they just play hard. We’ve just got to do a better job getting to their bodies.”  The referees called a lot of fouls in game one and that definitely helped Los Angeles.  “They play a very physical game, let the referees make a decision on what’s a foul and what isn’t,” Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. “They scrum, they get in the lane, they’re after the ball, they’re pushing and shoving. It’s not our style. We are going to play the kind of game we have to play. Just be more resilient, that’s all.” Kobe hit 21 of 23 free throws in the series opener.

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 6.5, Total  209.5

Utah will try and do a better job of getting the ball inside. “I think we can do a good job of getting the ball inside a little bit more,” Utah’s Carlos Boozer said, “I think we settled for jump shots at times. We’re stronger than them. They’re longer than we are, but we have some guys that like to get in there and bang around a little big and move some bodies and try to get the ball, which is going to be the key for us in this series. We need to continue to go inside and make them work inside.”

The Jazz may have been a bit weary in game one on Sunday but now will have had the same rest as the Lakers for game two on Wednesday. The Lakers are the only unbeaten team in the playoffs. “Every game is Game 7. That’s been our approach,” Kobe Bryant said. “I think with each win, we get more confident. Utah is a much bigger challenge for us than the first round. I think Game 3 in Denver, we played well. Other than that, we’ve been playing in spurts. We haven’t put together a complete game. I think that’s good news.”

The Jazz don’t intend to panic after one loss. “It’s a seven-game series,” Utah’s Deron Williams said. “We’ve lost one game. We’ve just got to stay poised and try to get this next one. We want to try to get back to where we were. We don’t want to go back to Salt Lake down 0-2. We’ve been in that situation before and it’s not pretty.”

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games. The Jazz are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games playing on 2 days of rest. The Jazz are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog. The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Jazz are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games. The Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Northwest. The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite. The Lakers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 2 days of rest. The home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two teams and the favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

The Under is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 playoff games as an underdog. The Over is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 Wednesday games. The Over is 20-7 in Utah’s last 27 vs. the  Pacific. The Under is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 overall.

The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 7-0 in the Lakers last 7 games playing on 2 days of rest. The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 overall. The Under is 7-2 in the Lakers last 9 Wednesday games. The Under is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 playoff games as a favorite. The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: Jazz +7 3units.. To many points here.

NBA Betting Preview
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (Lakers lead 3-0)
Monday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 3 , Total 228

The Los Angeles Lakers have dominated the Denver Nuggets in each of their first three games in their best of seven series and will try and close out the Nuggets on Monday.  Saturday’s 102-84 defeat for Denver was just about as bad as things could get as Carmelo Anthony called the entire team out for quitting.  Most of the starters for Denver didn’t play in the fourth quarter and they were not happy about it. “I have to coach the game,” Denver head coach George Karl said. “There’s no personal thing there. I wanted to try a different look. If the game would had gotten back in hand, I would have put him (Iverson) back in the game. In some ways I’m happy he’s angry because he wants to play and that’s fantastic.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers on the Road.

The Lakers have completely controlled the Nuggets this season going a perfect 6-0 against them.  Denver needs to find a way to at least get some respect back on Monday. “Right now, we’ve just got to play with pride and forget about Xs and Os,” Denver’s Eduardo Najera said. “Forget about the triangle. Forget about guarding Kobe. Forget about everything.”  The Lakers expect to see a focused Denver team on Monday. “Close-out games are always very, very tough,” Kobe Bryant said. “They play loose and they tend to fight a lot more. It’s going to be tough.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  -4.5 , Total 225.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Monday’s game. The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.
The Lakers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a road favorite. The Lakers are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 road games. The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Northwest. The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Denver.

The Nuggets are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 home games. The Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a home underdog. The Nuggets are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 vs. the Pacific. The Nuggets are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Under is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 road games. The Under is 12-5 in the Lakers last 17 Monday games.

The Under is 9-1 in the Nuggets last 10 games as a home underdog. The Under is 14-3 in the Nuggets last 17 playoff games as an underdog. The Under is 18-4 in the Nuggets last 22 Conference Quarterfinals games. The
Over is 15-7 in the Nuggets last 22 home games. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

Take the Lakers, Nuggets have given up! 5units top play

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (Lakers lead 2-0)
Saturday, 5:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Nuggets  -1 , Total 229.5

The Denver Nuggets haven’t been able to slow down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers so far but they hope their home court will provide them with enough of an advantage to get back in the series on Saturday.  The Nuggets were a sparkling 33-8 at home this season. “It’s our turn to hold serve,” Nuggets coach George Karl said, “It’s a great challenge, a lot of fun. The home court’s been kind of our biggest ally all year long.”  SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers on the Road.

Denver hasn’t played any defense so far in this series, giving up an average of 125 points per game to the Lakers.  Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol have ripped them apart but the Nuggets believe things will turn around on Saturday. “My sense is all year long when this team had its true back to the wall, they’ve responded great and the home court’s been a big part of that,” Karl said. “I think there’s an energy out there. Statistically there’s all sorts of positives that come our way here. We play better defense here.”  They sure couldn’t play defense much worse than they did in Los Angeles.  The problem for the Nuggets is that they were next to last in the NBA this season allowing 107 points per game. Perhaps the home court advantage will be enough for Denver to make this a series. “I don’t think you’re going to see wholesale changes. They believe in their style of play,” the Lakers Derek Fisher said. “Defensively, I think they’ll play even more zone than we saw last night. I don’t expect them to do too many things differently than they’ve done so far. I just expect them to do them better on their home court.”

SBG Global Current Line: Nuggets  -1.5 , Total 230

The Lakers are only 4-6 in their last 10 road games in Denver.  Here are more NBA betting stats for Saturday’s game.  The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Lakers are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 road games. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Denver.

The Nuggets are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite. The Nuggets are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 vs. the Pacific. The Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Nuggets are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 Conference Quarterfinals games. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams and the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Over is 8-2 in the Lakers last 10 Saturday games. The Over is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 playoff games as an underdog. The Over is 7-3 in the Lakers last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Under is 17-4 in the Nuggets last 21 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Over is 15-6 in the Nuggets last 21 games as a home favorite.

All the numbers say Nuggets 4units!

NBA Betting Preview
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 1-0)
Wednesday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  -7.5, Total 229

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to avoid a letdown in Game #2 on Wednesday as they host the Denver Nuggets.  The Lakers had little trouble in game one and are wary of the Nuggets coming out hard in game two. “The pressure’s still on us. We still have the pressure to win on our home court, play as hard as we did before.” Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson said, “It’s very difficult for a team to come back with the same intensity.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers at Home.

The Lakers were led in game one by Pau Gasol who had 36 points and 16 rebounds.  Gasol does not expect things to be as easy in game #2. “When Marcus left me, most of the time they didn’t cut off that second man. That second man helper didn’t get there on those rotations to me. I guess they will try to allow us to shoot more from the outside and not get in the lane as easy as we did. You’d rather give up open long shots than layups and dunks.”  The total on game #2 is almost five points higher than in game number one since the teams combined to score 242 points on Sunday.

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  -8, Total 229

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game.  The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games. The Nuggets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog. The Nuggets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Nuggets are 1-8 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. The Lakers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as a favorite. The home team is 13-5 ATS in the last 18 meetings between the two teams.

The Under is 5-1 in the Nuggets last 6 overall. The Under is 13-3 in the Nuggets last 16 playoff games as an underdog. The Under is 16-5 in the Nuggets last 21 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Over is 4-1 in the Lakers last 5 games as a home favorite. The Under is 6-2 in the Lakers last 8 Wednesday games. The Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Nuggets will keep this one close. Nuggets +7.5 3units