TUESDAY BEST BET 1/6

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

RECORD YTD 25-12 (.675)
SIDES 16-8 (.666)
TOTALS 9-4 (.692)

Won here last night, as Seattle overcame a 23 point deficit and won going away in OT.

Lakers were already slumping with Shaq in the lineup. With him out, Lakers lost to Clippers. Now they travel to face a hot home Minny team. Garnett and Cassell should have an esier time in the middle tonight. Grumblings are being directed at Bryant for his unwillingness share the ball. When the Lakers fall behind tonight, look for Payton and Bryant to start having words on the court. One concern tonight is Minny's natural tendency to ease up knowing Shaqs not there. Larkers have more problems than Shaq's absence though

Lakers 1-10 ATS mark last 11 is a representation of Lakers overvalued status. Minny 6-4 ATS last ten at home. Minny has won 9 of last 11 SU.

MINNY-6

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

i like the play also

LAL is after a division game 0-6 ats
LAL is on Tuesday nights 1-4
min is after a division game 5-1 ats
min is after scoring 105 points or more 4-1 ats

lakers have covered the spread once in 11 contests
minnesota hasnt failed to cover two in a row since 12/7 & 12/9 (they come off an ats & su loss to dallas)

lal allowing 103.9 on road
min allowing 88.4 @ home

Phaedrus · Jan 6, 2004

This game is off the board a couple of places, including MegaSB ... any idea why?

Phaedrus

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

probably still unsure about oneal

minnesota took a playoff exit to lakers last year. i fully expect minnesota to come out gunning. i wouldnt be suprised if they won by 30 and i never ever make predictions like that.

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

LA Lakers (21-9) at Minnesota (21-11)

Preview - Box Score - Recap

Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Tue Jan 6, 2004
TV: LAL, FSNo Add to Calendar
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Heading into a rematch of last season's first-round playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be without two of their stars and the Minnesota Timberwolves have two new ones to throw at them.
Karl Malone will sit out, and Shaquille O'Neal will likely join him on the bench as the Lakers take on Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell and the Timberwolves for the first time this season.

Malone was placed on the injured list Sunday for the first time in his 19-year career due to a sprained ligament in his right knee. O'Neal missed Sunday's 101-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers due to a strained right calf.

He traveled to Minnesota with the team, but coach Phil Jackson doesn't expect his star center to play on a two-game road trip.

``His progress has been so slow. He's still limping,'' Jackson said after practice Monday before the flight to Minnesota. ``It's kind of undefinable -- this injury. It's not something you can measure.''

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O'Neal keyed the team's six-game playoff triumph over Minnesota in last season's opening round. Minnesota suffered its seventh straight opening-round exit despite having home-court advantage for the first time.

However, Sprewell and Cassell were not around for that series. Those two offseason additions have made many believe the Timberwolves can finally advance past the first round. They're combining to average more than 38 points and 11 assists per game.

Since getting off to an unimpressive 9-8 start, Minnesota has won 12 of 15 to move within a game of the San Antonio Spurs for the Midwest Division lead.

The Lakers have gone in the other direction. They have lost six of nine since opening the season 18-3, falling 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Sacramento Kings in the Pacific Division.

Poor defense has caused Los Angeles' recent struggles, as the Lakers have surrendered an average of 102.4 points in the last nine games.

``Defense wins championships, and until we do that, you will see some (losses) in the column,'' said Horace Grant, who started for O'Neal against the Clippers.

Bad defense also plagued the Timberwolves on Saturday in a 119-112 loss at Dallas as they allowed the Mavericks to shoot 51 percent from the field. It was just the fifth time this season Minnesota gave up 100 points.

``We've been pretty good defensively, but tonight we were not good and they had a lot to do with that,'' Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said.

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

line is at 7 most places now. lock and load. minnesota is also coming off a bad defensive effort. i truly expect this t-wolves club to be solid on both sides of the floor all night.

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

Under the category of "History Repeats Itself." I remember this same scenario of Shaq being hurt on a road trip and at the last minute suiting up and playing. Jackson tends to do that, letting Shaq or Kobe show up at the last second. If Shaq shows up to play, the play is still Minny. Like I said, Lakers have more problems than Schaq missing in action.

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

you may be right occams becuase "....He traveled to Minnesota with the team, but coach Phil Jackson doesn't expect his star center to play on a two-game road trip...."

makes no sense. why travel with the team if youre injured.

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

From the NET:

"Lakers knocked Minny out of the playoffs last year and they want revenge. They’ve had two days off preparing, while the Lakers will be playing their third game in five days.

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

Line up to 7 everywhere as people are loading up on Minny. Not a good sign.

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

Kobe took only two shots in the first. making a defiant statement to teammates. "You dont want me to shoot so much, I won't. Then see what happens." Still very early though and after yesterday's comeback in Seattle, we know that anything can happen in the NBA.

1cheater · Jan 6, 2004

Occams, I didn't like the 7 so I played -3.5 for the 1st H

seemed safer

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

looks good so far buddy lets hope they hold.

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

Nice call #1cheater.

1cheater · Jan 6, 2004

Ty Occams, was a pussy bail out really, lol

1cheater · Jan 6, 2004

You guys are looking good!

RobFunk · Jan 6, 2004

SWEEEETTTTTTT!!!

thanks occams wouldnt have done anything with this game without your post

1cheater · Jan 6, 2004

Nice hit Occams!

GLJJNOVA · Jan 6, 2004

OR........Very good job; Your plays have been rock solid, Congrats!

Gary

OccamsRazor · Jan 6, 2004

Nice win tonight. Lakers fall to a money burning 1-11 ATS last 12. Game played to form. A struggling Lakers without Shaq vs a Hot Minny, youknockedmeoutoftheplayoffs team. Congrats to all on the Lakers.