A tweaked back for Lakers Kobe Bryant might just be what the Utah Jazz need to get by the Lakers tonight in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The best of seven series is tied at 2-2 with tonight’s game in La La Land. Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Lakers as 8 ½-point favorites over the Jazz with the over/under set at 213. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com
Kobe Bryant tweaked his back in the opening minutes of Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss at Utah. Sore back and all, he finished with 33pts, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Kobe is the Lakers top producer averaging 28 PPG, 5 assists and 2 rebounds a game, without him the Lakers can’t make up those points. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odem finished last game each with a double double, this is key for the Lakers success. Home wins are almost a guarantee for the Lakers who are 4-0 SU at home in the playoffs where they’ve averaged 119 PPG. They are 4-0 ATS at home winning by 10 points or more. Coach Phil Jackson said he believes the Lakers need to play a more physical game to be successful in this series. "I personally am for the cut-slash game. I like speed," he said. "Our team is long, lanky, lean. You've got to beat the opponent to the punch. You've got to deliver the first blow. That's what I'm telling the guys." But if they play a hard physical game the Jazz will dish it right back, which means Kobe’s back could be in for a rough night. If he leaves the game with back problems, the Lakers may be in trouble. The Lakers are 8-3 ATS on two day rest.
The Jazz aren’t the same team at home as they are on the road. They are 2-3 SU on the road where they’ve averaged 92 PPG. They are 2-3 ATS on the road. Utah's Deron Williams, who had 29 points and 14 assists in Game 4, pointed to slow starts and bad first halves as the key to his team's 109-98 and 120-110 losses to the Lakers in the first two games of this series. In Game 1 the Jazz were down 41-54 at the half, after the half they led the Lakers 57-55. In Game 2 they were down 49-63 at the half, after they led 61-57. If they can play strong at the start and finish strong they may be able to cover the spread, but not win in L.A. Road victories have been extremely tough to come by for anyone in the second round of the playoffs. Home teams were 15-1 SU entering Tuesday night's action, with the one road win a 90-89 triumph by Detroit at Orlando last Saturday.
Recent Trends to Consider
- Jazz are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Jazz are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
- Jazz are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
- Jazz are 1-4-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
- Jazz are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Lakers are 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
- Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
GAME: Utah Jazz (60-32) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (63-27)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 14 – 10:30 PM EST
LINE: SBGglobal.com TOTAL: 213 ½
PICK: Utah +8 ½
The Bottom Line: It all boils down to Kobe’s’ back, if he leaves the game with back troubles, Utah will cover, if he’s in the Lakers cover. He hasn’t practiced and he says he’s hurting. One rough hit from the Jazz could do it. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com
