NBA Betting Predictions - Lakers Host Indiana As Massive Home Favorites
by Tim Furious
The Lakers may still be the kings in the West, but in the betting public they’re becoming poison. Much of that has to do with Kobe Bryant’s recent struggles since returning from an assortment of injuries. In his past four games, Bryant has just 21.3 points per game, and with that dip in production the Lakers betting bandwagon has been set on fire (in a bad way).
Despite a sterling 7-2 SU record in their past 9 games, including a major comeback victory over the Grizzlies, the Lake Show has gone a weary 0-4-1 ATS in their past 5 games. At home, things aren’t much brighter. Despite winning 22-of-25 games at home, they’re only 1-6-1 ATS in their eight most recent games. A loss to Indiana would take nothing short of a miracle, but covering such a massive spread with Danny Granger walking in to the building could be as preposterous.
Against Chicago on Saturday, Granger exploded for 30 points and 8 boards as the Pacers roared to victory 100-90. I’ve touted Granger for years and his 26.8 point average over his last four games is proof in the pudding that this guy is deserving of being a star. The problem is that the team isn’t getting much help, especially with lingering injuries to rookie Tyler Hansbrough and Jeff Foster.
The Pacers look a lot like the Heat. A major star, an almost-star in Troy Murphy (think Beasley with a lower ceiling) and a horrendously useless center in Roy Hibbert. The lackluster roster surrounding Granger, the franchise guy, has allowed Indiana to plummet to a 2-7 SU record in their past 7 games. On the road, they’re just 2-4 ATS in their past 6 games and though they’re just 1-5 ATS and winless in five when visiting Los Angeles, they’re getting a huge favor from the oddsmakers tonight.
Indiana Pacers (20-39) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (45-15) >> Join Now to Bet!
Tuesday, March 2nd --- STAPLES Center --- 10:30pm EST
: Lakers -11 (211)
Yet what’s even more worrisome is the Lakers’ troubles playing at home. This is a matchup nightmare across the board for Indiana, which doesn’t have the size or strength to contain the trio of Odom-Gasol-Bynum. With injuries across their center-forwards, the Pacers have allowed 46.9 rebounds per game on the road, ranking them just 28th in the league.
Still, L.A. has been average so I’m almost forced to stick to the game averages in this one. Indiana plays quite well away from home, scoring 98.8 points per game while the Lakers score a 7th best 104.4 points when playing at the STAPLES Center. Granger loves the big stage, and any time he gets to play a caliber player like Kobe he brings his A-game. That will be the difference as Indiana chases the Lakers on the scoreboard tonight in the OVER.
