in NBA Betting Trends

The Seattle Supersonics 111-91 despite the fact that superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant was ejected in the third quarter for arguing with official Brian Forte.

Before he departed, Bryant torched the Sonics for 21 points and 10 assists in just 26 minutes to help the Lakers to their seventh consecutive road victory and the best record in the ultra-tight Western Conference.

"We're starting to understand it doesn't matter if we play at home or on the road, execution remains the same," Bryant said. "We've been doing a pretty good job executing, building up some big leads and playing from there."

Head coach Phil Jackson said he likes the position his team is in.

"Now we are in a situation where we can control our own destiny and that's important," Jackson said recently.

The Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Star shooting guard Brandon Roy aggravated an ankle injury against the C’s and could sit this contest out, lessening Portland’s chances of winning even further.

"We are upset that we are losing but we've been in this situation before, at the beginning of the year when we were losing tons of games," said veteran point guard Steve Blake.

Tonight’s contest is the first of four meetings between these teams who will play again on Friday in Portland.

Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Free Picks.

The Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six Tuesday games.

The Trail Blazers are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Lakers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven Tuesday games.

The Lakers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games playing on one days rest.

The Under is 4-0 in Trail Blazers last four road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.

The Under is 5-1 in Lakers last six when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Trail Blazers are 17-5 ATS in the last 22 meetings.

The Trail Blazers are 8-3 ATS in the last eleven meetings in Los Angeles.

Analysis: While I like the Lakers to win this contest against the undermanned Blazers, there is no way I’d take the Lakers tonight with the high point spread. I think the best wager for this matchup is to take the ‘Over’ as this ‘Totals’ wager looks like an emphatic ‘Lock’. Despite their stellar road excellence of late, I also say go against the Lakers and take the Blazers, who are still young and hungry, to cover the big spread tonight.

NBA Free Picks: Over 201 ½ Total Points/Portland + 15½ Points

10:35 PM EST

Portland Trailblazers +15½ -110

LA Lakers -15½ -110

Over 201½ -110

Under 201½ -110

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