The Lakers and other winning info

The Los Angeles Lakers won four of five while Kobe Bryant was sidelined with an injury, as only loss occurred to Boston 87-86. While wagering pundits will debate about the loss one player can make, Bryant gave a perfect illustration of what the right answer should be, one basket.

With the Lakers (43-14, 25-30-2 ATS) down two points to Memphis on the road yesterday, Bryant hit a 3-pointer with 4.3 second left in the contest and his club won 99-98 as 5.5-point road favorites. Bryant showed his clutch ability, scoring the team’s last nine points on the way to totaling 32. “It’s fun,” Bryant said. “It’s my responsibility to make plays down the stretch. I enjoy it.”

With little time to enjoy, Kobe and company move south to Dallas (36-21, 23-24 ATS) to face the Mavericks on an ESPN televised tilt. Los Angeles has now won seven of last eight road games (5-2-1 ATS) and head to Big D where Dallas has been friendlier this season than in the past.

The Mavs are 18-9 SU at home; winning by a mere two points a game, accounting for to be pitied for league worst 6-21 ATS record. Dallas recently turned over its roster with big trade, attempting to shake the lethargy that had settled in despite being in first place in the Southwest Division. The addition of center Brendan Haywood has been an immediate benefit for the Mavericks, having won four in a row (2-2 ATS). Once Erick Dampier returns from dislocated finger, Dallas has the size to matchup with Lakers in the paint, along with another scorer in Caron Butler.

Those setting the numbers at DiamondSportsbook.com are not backing off Dallas, in spite of puny numbers, making them 1.5-point home favorites with total of 195. Who cares if the Mavs are 2-10 ATS at American Airlines Center after hosting a game or the fact they are 1-9 ATS in a home game when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points this season. It’s not like the Lakers are sure thing, with 7-15 ATS mark having won four of their last five games and are 4-11 and 6-8-1 ATS with no rest this year.

This contest has a 9:05 Eastern tipoff and L.A is 7-0 UNDER as a road underdog and Dallas is 14-5 UNDER revenging a loss vs. opponent this season.

NBA cash grab

A New Orleans and Milwaukee encounter is hardly a headliner, (take this article for example) unless you are a sage NBA bettor in search of the right hot team. Despite playing without All-Star Chris Paul, the Hornets (30-27, 29-28 ATS) have won four of last seven and are 6-1 ATS, with all-rookie backcourt of Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton.

The Bucks (27-28, 34-21 ATS) have won three in a row and six of eight and they have been handing out bonuses faster than Wall Street with 14-3 ATS run. Center Andrew Bogut has been more assertive in all areas and rookie Brandon Jennings and John Salmons have clicked since Milwaukee acquired him from Chicago.

New Orleans is a six-point road underdog and would appear to have several decided edges. The Hornets have stung Milwaukee eight straight times (5-3 ATS), dating back to Jan. 30, 2006. New Orleans is 8-1 ATS versus teams who make six or more 3-point shots a game in the second half of the season and the Bucks are 4-16 ATS revenging a close loss (Hornets 102-99, Nov. 25) of three points or less since 2007.

This battle begins at 8:05 Eastern and can be seen in local markets, with somebody taking home another winner, following spread covering clubs.