New Orleans Hornets AT Los Angeles Lakers
January 7th, 2011 at 10:30 PM EST
Opening Line: L.A. -7.5
Current Line: L.A. -8
Opening Total: 190
Current Total: 189
Opening Moneyline: L.A. -375 / N.O. +315
Current Moneyline: L.A. -380 / N.O. +290
New Orleans started off the year on fire, but they have been very average since then and are 5-5 over their last 10 games and they struggle on the road (7-10 so far). Things have been going anything but smooth for the Lakers, however, and Kobe Bryant has expressed his frustration with the situation, questioning the dedication of his teammates, even more so after Pau Gasol’s iphone failed to wake him up and caused him to miss the video review and shootaround session before their last game. They’ve won 4 of their past 5, however, with their loss having been a blowout to the lowly Grizzlies.
85% of Yahoo pundits have predicted that the Lakers win tonight’s contest and 63% of bettors have picked the Lakers to cover tonight’s spread. Artest hit a key shot in their last victory against Phoenix and that did please Bryant, “He has made big shots before when the money is on the line, big money is on the line,” Bryant said of Artest. “I have all the faith in the world in him.” Pau Gasol mustered only 6 points, scoring under 11 for the fourth time in six games. His play has been good all year, but recently he has stumbled. He’ll try to correct that tonight against the weak frontline of the Hornets.
Some betting trends:
The total has gone UNDER in 19 of New Oreleans’ past 25 games and it has gone UNDER in 11 of their past 13 road games. They have lost 7 of their past 9 on the road and are 4-8-2 ATS in their last 14 road games. The total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 against the Lakers and they are 1-4 in their last 5 against them. The total has gone OVER in 8 of their last 10 on the road in L.A.
The total has gone UNDER in 19 of the Lakers’ past 25 games and they are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games. They are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games and the total has gone UNDER In 4 of their last 5 at home. They have won 19 of their last 25 at home and are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 against the Hornets. The total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 against New Orleans.
Key matchups:
L.A.’s Frontline (Odom/Gasol/Bynum) vs New Orleans Frontline (David West/Emeka Okafor)
L.A. will be able to wear down the Hornets’ tandem of West and Okafor because they will be forced into heavy duty, like most nights, due to the Hornets’ lack of front court depth. Gasol has struggled, but Odom has been playing very well and Bynum has evolved into a top notch role player since returning from injury. Odom is having the best season he has had since 06-07 when he averaged 15.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg. This year his numbers are comparable at 15.6 and 9.5, and also well above his career averages. His athleticism and versatility will give David West a lot of problems, as he is slower afoot and not nearly as atheletic. West’s outside shooting ability may be negated by Odom’s strong defense and these front court matchups which are heavily in L.A.’s favor will likely spell the demise of the Hornets.
