Tuesday Night NBA

By Divol

Los Angeles Lakers v Utah Jazz

5th May 03:35 GMT

I have to admit that the refs don't look too good for the Lakers, but Jazz still suck. If it wasn't for a poor performance of the Lakers bench in the 4th quarter, Lakers would have easily won this one. The second game is crucial so far in the playoff for the home teams and I'm sure that Phil got this message to his players. In all the series of the first round, the team that won the second game won the series as well. Utah and Spurs used the second game to win the only road game in their series and Lakers are aware of that as well. Utah's loss in Game 1 was their greatest achievement in the Staples Center in the last 15 games in LA against the Lakers. Before this game, their smallest loss was by 6 points. From a record game there is usually no way to go but down.

Lakers played terrible and still easily won with the win being questionable for exactly 60 seconds. Lakers to shoot 16% at home from the three point line? 2 from 12? 0 from 6 to the starting five? And Lakers still easily won? That's incredible. Lakers made more turnovers, made almost the same number of FT, passed less assists and still won. Lakers shot great from the field, with 53% from the field, but that is because they took most of the shots in the paint and I can't see how Jazz will manage to stop that. I do believe that Lakers will improve in protecting the ball and make less turnover and will get a few three pointers from the starters this time. Lakers, Phil and everyone almost promised they will make a better game today and win by more than in Game 1. I believe them this time. Lakers, unlike in other seasons, don't feel they are unbeatable and won't take chances I believe tonight with Utah, since a loss tonight and they will have tons of pressure.

So Lakers to win both half and full time and Lakers with the line are my bets. Also, I like the Odom Over bet here. Odom made 16 points average against Utah this season. Bynum is injured and already played 5 minutes less than his average and it will only get bigger, especially if Lakers will hold a big lead. All those minutes go to Odom. Odom played already 31 minutes in Game 1 and will play 30+ minutes again today. He scored 9 points, but didn't score not once from FT (missed his only shot), was poor from three point and shot in 40% only, way lower than his team. Today he should score in double figures and even if the bet loses, I will chase it and have little doubt it's a winning bet down the stretch.



Picks:

Lakers -5.5, 1.95 odds - 3 units play - Pinnacle

Lakers to lead at HT and FT - 1.83 odds - 2.5 units play - Bet365

Odom to score Over 9.5 points - 1.95 odds - 2 units play - Bwin


Orlando Magic v Atlanta Hawks



5th May 01:05 GMT

I really like the bet on Howard tonight. Over 12.5 rebounds and 18.5 points both should win. He scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in average in the series against the Hawks, but those numbers don't do him justice. He had one poor game with 12 points and 7 rebounds, but in other games? 18.3 rpg and 24 ppg against the Hawks. On top of that, he was really frustrated in the series against Charlotte and got abused. He made only 9 points and 9 rebounds in the average in this series and he should explode on the poor Hawks. The only thing that can hurt Superman is his old enemy kryptonite and that is fouls. If he doesn't get in foul trouble, I see almost zero chance for him not to cover. But, since foul troubles are too familiar to Howard, I will take both bets with medium stakes only. Another bet that I will take for small stakes is for Lewis to score no less than Smith. I just can't understand how he given the higher odds and given the +0.5 line. He scores a bit less than Smith overall, but he scores just like him in home vs. road performances and wins vs. losses. If we add that he scored more than Smith in three of the four games between the teams so far, I really think this bet got value.



Picks:

Howard Over 18.5 points, 1.80 odds - 2 units play - Bet-at-home

Howard Over 12.5 rebounds  - 1.80 odds - 3.5 units play - Bet-at-home

Lewis +0.5 against Smith - 1.95 odds - 1.5 units play - Nordic Bet / Triobet

Bonus Pick: Lakers (1.83) + Orlando (1.52) to lead at HT and FT - 2.78 odds - 1.75 units play - Bet365

Divol