NBA Basketball
2012-03-23 - Portland T-Blazers at LA Lakers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 23 March 2012 - Tip Off 10:30pm ET
2:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The LA Lakers (29-18) made a big trade move at the deadline when they shifted Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets and brought in Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers, moves which have made them a little stronger on the court, although perhaps not in leadership stakes off the court.
They face a Portland Trail Blazers (22-25) team that effectively gave up on the Play Offs this season when allowing Gerald Wallace to go to the New Jersey Nets. Portland are 3.5 games out of the Play Off picture in the Western Conference and they are just 3-6 in their last 9 games overall.
Ramon Sessions is still a bench player for the Lakers, but he is pushing for a starting spot ahead of Steve Blake and his performance against Dallas last time out has really pushed his cause. It only bodes well for his chances when the likes of Pau Gasol are advocating his performances as well as Head Coach Mike Brown.
Portland will not just be bringing a new look starting line up to the Staples Center, but they will also have an interim Coach in charge, although the team are still confident they can close on 8th place Houston in the Western Conference Play Offs.
JJ Hickson is the newest member of the Portland team and he could be making his first appearance as the Trail Blazers. Hickson has struggled this season at Sacramento and was waived by the Kings, but he was averaging 13.8 points per game last season while in Cleveland and could be making a big impact at the Rose Garden the rest of the way.
Head to Head
Portland and the Lakers have split their two season meetings so far, both straight up and against the spread.
The Lakers have won their last 3 home games against Portland, going 2-1 against the spread in those games.
The home team is 10-4 against the spread in the last 14 games in the series.
LA are 13-9 against the spread at home this season, Portland are 8-16 on the road.
LA are 13-18 against the spread as the favourite, Portland are 4-12 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
LA have lost their last 4 games against the spread as the home favourite.
Portland are 2-5 against the spread in their last 7 games as the road underdog given between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 3-13 against the spread in their last 16 games against a team with a winning record of over 60% at home.
Prediction
I am going to back the LA Lakers to cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, the Lakers have been playing a lot better now that Ramon Sessions has come in to help at the Point Guard position.
Second, the Lakers are 5-1 against the spread when favoured by between 6.5 and 9 points at home.
Third, the home team has generally dominated the recent games in the series as shown by the 10-4 record against the spread.
The Pick :
LA Lakers 106-93 Portland T-Blazers
