The Los Angeles Lakers showed the mental strength of a champion to overcome a large deficit in their thrilling Game 1 win, but they would surely welcome an easier road to victory when they meet the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center in Game 2 of their Western Conference final series. BetOnline.com has the Los Angeles Lakers –3.5 points against the San Antonio Spurs with the over/under set at 192.5 points.
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers – 9:00 PM ET
Early on in Game 1's 89-85 loss, the Spurs did not look like an “old” team that just went to seven games in their last series as they built up a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter. But a combination of fatigue and Kobe Bryant made the Spurs wilt, and they know they dropped a glorious chance in this series. Tim Duncan had 30 points and 18 rebounds as he tried to carry the Spurs through the second half, but Manu Ginobili was a huge disappointment, going 3-for-13 for ten points in the contest.
The Lakers needed their MVP, Bryant, to assert himself on the game as their deficit grew, and he did not let them down as he put up 25 of his team-high 27 points in the second half, along with nine assists. While Pau Gasol added 19 points for the Lakers, the duo of Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher were a combined 4-for-21 from the field for only 12 points, which put pressure on Bryant to take over. The Lakers' subs also did their part, outscoring their San Antonio counterparts 21-11.
The Lakers are 6.5-point favorites to take the second game of this series, and they are now a perfect 6-0 at the Staples Center. The Spurs started to look their age after a gruelling series with New Orleans, along with a delayed plane that caused them to sleep in the aircraft, and this may be the toughest test of their championship runs. The Lakers are hungry, especially Bryant, and they smell blood, so take Los Angeles to snatch a vital victory and a 2-0 lead in this series on Friday.
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