JIMMY BOYD
4* Major Game 5 *BEST BET* (TNT) on Lakers -7
After the Lakers lost both Games 3 and 4 in Oklahoma City in round one, they responded with a 111-87 win in Game 5. I expect a similar response tonight. Right away I love the fact that home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points off 2 straight losses to an opponent, if that opponent is off an upset win over a division rival, are 39-13 (75%) ATS since 1996, winning by an average of 11.9 points in these games. The Lakers have proven to be a team of response as they are 18-5 ATS in their last 23 games when tied in a playoff series. The Lakers are 41-7 at home this season, winning those games by an average of 9 points. They are also 7-1 at home against Phoenix over the last 3 seasons, winning those games by an average of 12 points. All signs point to the Lakers bouncing back strong tonight. Lay the points.