Tip off: 9:35 PM EST
Spread: OKC -6
Betting Odds from Bovada.lv
Kobe Bryant really hasn’t done much to statistically indicate he is slowing down, so the fact that so many think he has is pretty perplexing. He said his wrist is now 100% healed, so I fear for the rest of the league.
The problem hasn’t been Kobe and his league leading 29 points per game, but Pau Gasol, who has been understandably affected by trade rumors. He has been mentioned in Dwight Howard deals, and even another recently involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gasol has fallen off also due ton the lack of the triangle offense. His assist numbers are nearly cut in half, and he just doesn’t look like the player he has in year’s past.
We’ll keep an eye on the situation, because Gasol may not be playing in a Laker uniform after the trade deadline. They already broke ties with Lamar Odom over the summer, indicating they are going with Andrew Bynum as their primary big of the future.
The Thunder have been the best in the West so far, and it’s mainly due to their main culprits, the duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who lead the NBA as a duo in scoring, with 49.2 combined points per game, ranking ahead of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The Thunder have a host of other dangerous players. James Harden contended for an All-Star spot and will have a shot to win 6th man of the year this season. Serge Ibaka leads the league in blocks.
And Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins both provide great defense. The Thunder have the pieces in tact to contend. Sefolosha is, however, out indefinitely with a foot injury and is joined on the injured list by Nick Collison (bruise quad), Lazar Hayward (facial injuries), and point guard Eric Maynor, who is nursing a knee injury.
Thunder Betting Trends:
The Thunder are 6-1 SU in their last 7 ages and the total has gone OVER in 11 of their last 16 games. It has also gone OVER in 5 of their last 7 home games and they are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home.
Lakers Betting Trends:
The Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games and the total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games. The Lakers are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games on the road and they are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 on the road.
Key Matchups:
James Harden vs. Kobe Bryant
Harden is an underrated defender and will see the majority of the defensive responsibilities on Kobe Bryant. Russell Westbrook may also match up with Bryant at times. Kobe is leading the league in scoring at 29 a game, as I mentioned, and is still going to lead the Lakers on most offensive sets. Harden, though, is a phenomenal shooter and will make Kobe work defensively, which will prevent him from resting on that end of the court and dominating more offensively. Harden can do a little bit of everything, and his beard doesn’t look too shabby either…
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