OffshoreInsiders.com Senior Writer Vegas Matty previews Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks from the standpoint of the bettor.
The defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers (45-19) started a seven-game winning streak after the All-Star break with a 104-80 rout of the Atlanta Hawks (37-26) at home two weeks ago. The Lakers (-5.5) will try to remain the hottest team in the league on Tuesday when they visit the Hawks during the second stop of a four-game road trip.
Los Angeles is coming off arguably its biggest statement game of the season on Sunday, ripping San Antonio 99-83 to end a franchise-record 22-game home winning streak for the Spurs. The Lakers built a monstrous 65-37 halftime lead and cruised from there behind a game-high 26 points from MVP candidate Kobe Bryant while Pau Gasol added 21 points and Andrew Bynum grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds for the second time in a row.
Defense has been the secret to LA’s success during the winning streak, as the team has held opponents to 87 points or less five times, including four straight. The UNDER has cashed five times over that period in which the Lakers have also gone 5-1 against the spread.
After losing in Los Angeles, Atlanta went 2-2 in the final four games of a seven-game road trip to finish up 3-4. The Hawks have played their last three games at home, losing the last two after rallying back from a 19-point deficit to beat Chicago 83-80 last Wednesday. Al Horford scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds against the Bulls but has totaled 19 points and 19 rebounds in losses to Oklahoma City (111-104) and New York (92-79) since then.
Atlanta has had trouble scoring in the last 13 games, breaking the century mark only once during that stretch. That came in the loss to the Thunder last Friday, which is also the only time the Hawks scored more than 90 in their last five games. The UNDER is 5-1 in their last six games and 9-2 in their past 11.
The Lakers had failed to cover the spread in the three previous meetings with Atlanta before the latest game between the teams. They have split the last four meetings straight-up, losing both games in Atlanta and failing to register a victory in their past three trips there. Bryant has struggled offensively in the last three road games in the series, averaging just 18.7 points on 41.1 percent shooting. However, Bynum did not play in any of those games.
Top expert pick on today’s card: The Center of the Handicapping Universe GodsTips is now 16-7 the last 23 with five straight winning days. Mr. March has two locks for tonight in college basketball. One is a Wise Guy side, the other a Major. Again, both night games. Click now to purchase