Joseph D'Amico
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -8½
With the season coming to an end, L.A. has the Pacific locked up but still trails San Antonio for the best record in the West. The Spurs have some injuries and the Lakers can gain some ground here. Los Angeles is red-hot, winning 15 of their L16 SU. HC Phil Jackson has the luxury of having a 100% healthy squad. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.2 PPG while Gasol, Odom, and Bynum are combining for 27.9 RPG. This is a smart, talented, and well-prepared team that wants nothing less than the #1 seed in the West. They face a slumping Jazz team that has lost their L5 SU, including their L3 at home. The trade of Deron Williams has hurt the team. Now, injuries have killed them. As of print, Okur, Price, Bell, Kirilenko, and Harris are all listed as OUT. This doesn’t leave the already depleted squad with much to work with. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS their L5 vs. the Jazz and 6-1 ATS their L7 games played on the road. The Jazz are 1-3-1 ATS their L5 overall and 3-10 ATS their L13 at home. Take Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -8½
With the season coming to an end, L.A. has the Pacific locked up but still trails San Antonio for the best record in the West. The Spurs have some injuries and the Lakers can gain some ground here. Los Angeles is red-hot, winning 15 of their L16 SU. HC Phil Jackson has the luxury of having a 100% healthy squad. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.2 PPG while Gasol, Odom, and Bynum are combining for 27.9 RPG. This is a smart, talented, and well-prepared team that wants nothing less than the #1 seed in the West. They face a slumping Jazz team that has lost their L5 SU, including their L3 at home. The trade of Deron Williams has hurt the team. Now, injuries have killed them. As of print, Okur, Price, Bell, Kirilenko, and Harris are all listed as OUT. This doesn’t leave the already depleted squad with much to work with. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS their L5 vs. the Jazz and 6-1 ATS their L7 games played on the road. The Jazz are 1-3-1 ATS their L5 overall and 3-10 ATS their L13 at home. Take Los Angeles.
Chip Chirimbes
Bucks at Pacers
Pick: Bucks +3
The Indiana Pacers have a one game lead over the Charlotte Bobcats in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks who are making a late push are two games back in the loss column and must come up with a win to close in with only seven game left after tonight. Bucks lead the season series 2-1 and will get this much needed win.
Bucks at Pacers
Pick: Bucks +3
The Indiana Pacers have a one game lead over the Charlotte Bobcats in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks who are making a late push are two games back in the loss column and must come up with a win to close in with only seven game left after tonight. Bucks lead the season series 2-1 and will get this much needed win.
