Bob Harvey - 05/19/2009
After struggling against the Rockets in the previous series, the Lakers should be ready to play some serious ball against the Nuggets at LA's Staples Center on Tuesday.
As tough as their second round series against Houston was, many of the Lakers (we think) took a crash course in “Playoffs 101.” From Phil Jackson to Kobe Jackson to Shannon Brown, the Lakers were humbled by Houston. Gone is there arrogance and where there was a hole, now there’s a heart.
If their Game 7 performance against the Rockets was any indication, the Lakers learned several valuable lessons leading up to the trendy favorite to win the West, the Denver Nuggets. Per usual there are two schools of thought on how Game 1 will turn out and why.
The Denver congregation will point to its easy series victories over the Hornets and Mavs. They’ll also go on about Carmelo Anthony and his coming out party in these playoffs. You’ll hear how J.R. Smith is going to be a three-point machine and how Nene Hilario, Kenyon Martin and the Birdman will have their way with the Lakers down low.
Let me say: Wrong on all accounts? Denver advanced at the expense of a dysfunctional Hornets team that phoned in the series. Then they took care of an undermanned Mavericks team had one guy show up every night.
During the regular season the Lakers were 3-1 against the Nuggets. The only loss came in the second game of a back-to-back.
The Nuggets say they’ll turn it up defensively against the Lakers. Does that mean the ‘Melo will suddenly play D for the first time in his NBA career or that Chris Anderson can handle Andrew Bynum down low? No and No.
Then there’s that annoying little thing about George Karl who hasn’t won in LA in five years. And least I forget, Denver is 1-10 at Staples Center over the past two seasons, including a four-game sweep in last year's playoffs.
Here are some other numbers to chew on. Kobe averaged over 30 points per game in the four meetings. Anthony averaged 14 ppg. Pau Gasol is averaging nearly 10 rebounds per game as compared to Nene’s 6 rpg.
In their last meeting of the year on April 9, the Lakers won and covered 116-104. Kobe had 33 points, Gasol 27 and Andrew Bynum netted 16 points. For Denver, Anthony had 23 and Chauncey Billups scored 27. That game should give us a truer read on what is going to take place in this series.
I like the Lakers huge in tonight’s game. It appears Los Angeles has turned a lot of people off with their less than stellar play against Houston and I’m hoping more of those annoyed Lakers fans will continue to throw their money behind Denver.
This will be the best home price we’ll see on LA this series, I guarantee you.
I’m on the Lakers big tonight and for the series. This one will be over in five games with the Lakers and Cavaliers meeting the NBA finals. Just like everyone said they would months ago.
Free Pick: Lakers -6 (-110)
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After struggling against the Rockets in the previous series, the Lakers should be ready to play some serious ball against the Nuggets at LA's Staples Center on Tuesday.
As tough as their second round series against Houston was, many of the Lakers (we think) took a crash course in “Playoffs 101.” From Phil Jackson to Kobe Jackson to Shannon Brown, the Lakers were humbled by Houston. Gone is there arrogance and where there was a hole, now there’s a heart.
If their Game 7 performance against the Rockets was any indication, the Lakers learned several valuable lessons leading up to the trendy favorite to win the West, the Denver Nuggets. Per usual there are two schools of thought on how Game 1 will turn out and why.
The Denver congregation will point to its easy series victories over the Hornets and Mavs. They’ll also go on about Carmelo Anthony and his coming out party in these playoffs. You’ll hear how J.R. Smith is going to be a three-point machine and how Nene Hilario, Kenyon Martin and the Birdman will have their way with the Lakers down low.
Let me say: Wrong on all accounts? Denver advanced at the expense of a dysfunctional Hornets team that phoned in the series. Then they took care of an undermanned Mavericks team had one guy show up every night.
During the regular season the Lakers were 3-1 against the Nuggets. The only loss came in the second game of a back-to-back.
The Nuggets say they’ll turn it up defensively against the Lakers. Does that mean the ‘Melo will suddenly play D for the first time in his NBA career or that Chris Anderson can handle Andrew Bynum down low? No and No.
Then there’s that annoying little thing about George Karl who hasn’t won in LA in five years. And least I forget, Denver is 1-10 at Staples Center over the past two seasons, including a four-game sweep in last year's playoffs.
Here are some other numbers to chew on. Kobe averaged over 30 points per game in the four meetings. Anthony averaged 14 ppg. Pau Gasol is averaging nearly 10 rebounds per game as compared to Nene’s 6 rpg.
In their last meeting of the year on April 9, the Lakers won and covered 116-104. Kobe had 33 points, Gasol 27 and Andrew Bynum netted 16 points. For Denver, Anthony had 23 and Chauncey Billups scored 27. That game should give us a truer read on what is going to take place in this series.
I like the Lakers huge in tonight’s game. It appears Los Angeles has turned a lot of people off with their less than stellar play against Houston and I’m hoping more of those annoyed Lakers fans will continue to throw their money behind Denver.
This will be the best home price we’ll see on LA this series, I guarantee you.
I’m on the Lakers big tonight and for the series. This one will be over in five games with the Lakers and Cavaliers meeting the NBA finals. Just like everyone said they would months ago.
Free Pick: Lakers -6 (-110)
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GoodFella
ANA (+135) vs SEA
This play has great value here IMO, as Matt Palmer is flying under the radar. He's won his first four starts while holding opponents to a .168 batting average, first among starters in the AL. He also has the advantage of facing Seattle for the 1st time, a CLEAR advantage for the pitcher in this situation. For Seattle, they send out Felix Hernandez tonight, and he hasn't had the best success vs the Angels during his career; Hernandez is 3-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 12 career starts against the Angels. I expect the Angels to be the Angels and work the pitch count up on Felix & get into that Mariner bullpen that is REALLY struggling right now. Live dog here fellas, & I will bite
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ANA (+135) vs SEA
This play has great value here IMO, as Matt Palmer is flying under the radar. He's won his first four starts while holding opponents to a .168 batting average, first among starters in the AL. He also has the advantage of facing Seattle for the 1st time, a CLEAR advantage for the pitcher in this situation. For Seattle, they send out Felix Hernandez tonight, and he hasn't had the best success vs the Angels during his career; Hernandez is 3-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 12 career starts against the Angels. I expect the Angels to be the Angels and work the pitch count up on Felix & get into that Mariner bullpen that is REALLY struggling right now. Live dog here fellas, & I will bite
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