I've found five good reasons and three small ones to bet LA. I'm clear about the Laker shortcomings, but I think the Rockets must play 90% of a perfect game to win. I don't trust HOU's nerves down the stretch even if they start well. Malone is 1-18 SU last 19 road playoff games, I believe. I'm not a big fan of his, but give the guy a break! Pre-Spurs, the Lakers know they have to be near the top of their game. For every VanGundy win in the first round, there may be a corresponding VanGundy loss. They'll cut Shaq some slack this time around.
The Nets and Spurs winning their game 3s only reenforces the Lakers imperative to get their own series over. I realize the Rockets are far from doormats, but they haven't the mental strength to provide a likely obstacle for a Hall of Fame group on a mission to at least give themselves the best chance against the machine-like Spurs. The Rockets depend on LA underachieving to win, and I don't think this smells of any flatness/complacency. Remember, Game 1 in Houston earlier this season Kobe could barely grip the ball + no Malone. Game 2 there LA was playing their 6TH GAME IN 8 DAYS, no Malone, was stuck 10 at the half, and Rockets choked it off to lose late.
Lastly...for those who think in terms of Stern's league/TV agendas, consider this:
Yao Ming will have many chances at great series and games deep into the playoffs. Kobe had to wait a bit, so did Shaq with Orlando, so did MJ, etc. The league DOES want the freshest legs for the SAN/LA series, which will be billed as "one for the ages", the best they can come up with to resemble LA/BOS matchups of yesteryear.
Yao Ming will have many chances at great series and games deep into the playoffs. Kobe had to wait a bit, so did Shaq with Orlando, so did MJ, etc. The league DOES want the freshest legs for the SAN/LA series, which will be billed as "one for the ages", the best they can come up with to resemble LA/BOS matchups of yesteryear.
Although I'm likely to pass on this game just cuz I don't have a good feel for which Lakers team will show, here's some additional incentive for the Lakers to sweep. Source is the LA Times website:
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A four-game sweep of the Rockets not only would allow the Lakers time to prepare for the next round and what would be a difficult series against, probably, the San Antonio Spurs, but it would allow Kobe Bryant to tend to his legal matters without too many basketball complications.
The judge in Bryant's sexual assault case has scheduled pretrial hearings for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Eagle, Colo.
If the series extended beyond Sunday's Game 4, Bryant would be expected to miss practices Monday and Tuesday. He then would try to rush back to Los Angeles for Wednesday night's Game 5.
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A four-game sweep of the Rockets not only would allow the Lakers time to prepare for the next round and what would be a difficult series against, probably, the San Antonio Spurs, but it would allow Kobe Bryant to tend to his legal matters without too many basketball complications.
The judge in Bryant's sexual assault case has scheduled pretrial hearings for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Eagle, Colo.
If the series extended beyond Sunday's Game 4, Bryant would be expected to miss practices Monday and Tuesday. He then would try to rush back to Los Angeles for Wednesday night's Game 5.
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they don't fix games! The neXt thing you will say is that game 6 of LA-Sac was fixed....Oh wait, I think it was.
Has anyone seen Dick Bavetta in Houston?
I honestly see no reason to trust the Lakers to sweep anyone. All year everyone has been saying "just wait until they get everyone back...." But this has nothing to do with ATS records and they have been awful as road favs all season 11-19 this season ATS. Just like the Bulls when they were winning titles they are Joe Public money burners.
Has anyone seen Dick Bavetta in Houston?
I honestly see no reason to trust the Lakers to sweep anyone. All year everyone has been saying "just wait until they get everyone back...." But this has nothing to do with ATS records and they have been awful as road favs all season 11-19 this season ATS. Just like the Bulls when they were winning titles they are Joe Public money burners.
honestly see no reason to trust the Lakers to sweep anyone. All year everyone has been saying "just wait until they get everyone back...." But this has nothing to do with ATS records and they have been awful as road favs all season 11-19 this season ATS. Just like the Bulls when they were winning titles they are Joe Public money burners
I know it sounds like a stupid comment but it sounds the most logical. ""Fade LAL Tonight!" and cash in!
...and trust me, I'm the diehardest of Lakeshowfans.
I know it sounds like a stupid comment but it sounds the most logical. ""Fade LAL Tonight!" and cash in!
...and trust me, I'm the diehardest of Lakeshowfans.
I personally do not understand why people use or even mention trends like "Malone is 1-18 SU last 19 road playoff games".....did Malone play on the Laker prior to this year? Good or Bad my opinion trends from previous years especially with personnel changes are not a good indicator or should they be a factor for determining outcomes this year......Just my 2 cents.
Now for the laker game I see no value in the line so I will pass, although there will be winner or loser and maybe it might land on the # so to anyone who may wager on this game GL
[This message was edited by Moon88 on April 23, 2004 at 03:37 PM.]
Now for the laker game I see no value in the line so I will pass, although there will be winner or loser and maybe it might land on the # so to anyone who may wager on this game GL
[This message was edited by Moon88 on April 23, 2004 at 03:37 PM.]
To 3peet: See my post re: the REAL 7-1 road pk/fav Lakers down the stretch WHEN RESTED, despite no Malone.
Malone 1-16 in road games...of course it was the Jazz, of course it's a specious argument. While I don't see it as a negative, at most it's worth a quarter of a point. You could add in Louisiana support for Malone and Shaq for that matter. It gets silly and unnecessary when the fundamentals and psychology and history are so strong for the Lakers tonight already. There rates to be one game right now or Sunday which gets people thinking "It's not hype. This is the team everyone thought was a shoe-in when the season began. The talent and experience and coaching are overwhelming. We may never see this again. Thank goodness the Spurs are playing this well so they have a real challenge." They sort of hinted at this in the home burials of Minnesota and Sacramento a few weeks back. They need a decisive road win after the 0-3 at San Antonio last year and before playing those same Spurs with home disadvantage starting very soon. When focussed, at least like the old Bulls, they have the presence, talent and will to do what they want with a marginal playoff opponent even on the road. The Rockets aren't nasty enough or smart enough to counterpunch if the Lakers are "on" in that way. Tonight LA "eats soup with a fork."
Malone 1-16 in road games...of course it was the Jazz, of course it's a specious argument. While I don't see it as a negative, at most it's worth a quarter of a point. You could add in Louisiana support for Malone and Shaq for that matter. It gets silly and unnecessary when the fundamentals and psychology and history are so strong for the Lakers tonight already. There rates to be one game right now or Sunday which gets people thinking "It's not hype. This is the team everyone thought was a shoe-in when the season began. The talent and experience and coaching are overwhelming. We may never see this again. Thank goodness the Spurs are playing this well so they have a real challenge." They sort of hinted at this in the home burials of Minnesota and Sacramento a few weeks back. They need a decisive road win after the 0-3 at San Antonio last year and before playing those same Spurs with home disadvantage starting very soon. When focussed, at least like the old Bulls, they have the presence, talent and will to do what they want with a marginal playoff opponent even on the road. The Rockets aren't nasty enough or smart enough to counterpunch if the Lakers are "on" in that way. Tonight LA "eats soup with a fork."
