Houston Rockets seek revenge against Kobe and Lakers in LA
Sunday, November 15, 2009
By: "Reload" Joe Freda | reload.mysbrforum.com
A week and a half ago in Houston, Kobe Bryant piled in 41 points for the Lakers in an overtime 103-102 win which snapped a three-game Rockets winning streak.
Tonight in LA is a rematch between the Lakers and Rockets with an inflated line thanks to the Lakers getting crushed in Denver on Friday and bettors thinking they cannot lose two in a row. The Rockets come into off of their own embarrassing loss in Sacramento and combining that with revenge in this spot should make them keep it close.
Last year the Rockets and Lakers had a playoff series going the full seven games, resulting in LA moving on and Houston having to pack in their season. After the Lakers went on to win the NBA Championship, Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza ended up flip-flopping between these squads shortly after with each team hoping to improve certain areas this year.
So far, both have started out with winning records this season and currently hold second place spots in their respective divisions with the Rockets at 5-4 and the Lakers standing at 7-2. Even with decent starts, both teams know it will take more than that to get through the competitive West this season.
In the first matchup between the Rockets and Lakers back on November 4, it was all about defense as both teams shot a combined 12 for 39 from the three point line and a total of 68 defensive rebounds occurring during the game. Luis Scola and Andrew Bynum led the rebounding for the Rockets and Lakers, respectively, and we should see the same kind of battling on the boards for the ball tonight.
While the Rockets did not have an answer for Bryant the first time around, Derek Fisher was held to zero points despite being on the court for 34 minutes. Fisher also had no points in Denver on Friday and has not been underachieving more this season compared to past years.
Houston showed some steady contribution in the first meeting with six players reaching double figures, including Carl Landry who led all Rockets’ scorers with 20 points from the bench. Landry will be coming into LA off his worst game of the season in Sacramento only making one basket in his entire time on the floor which should get him focused on returning to a more solid effort tonight.
The downfall for Houston in Sacramento was finding themselves in a shootout early with the Kings and I feel that will not happen tonight in LA. With the Lakers also getting smoked in Denver, I feel tonight’s matchup will have more of a smashmouth feel to it and we will see neither team wanting to make mistakes on the floor letting anyone from the other side score. Although the fans in LA would like to see a big blowout win, drawing the revenge-minded Rockets tonight as an opponent was not what the doctor ordered and this one could go down to the final buzzer just like last time.
The point spread for tonight’s game opened yesterday with the Lakers favored by 8 ½ points at both The Greek and Bookmaker. A few hours later, the line moved up to 9 ½ where it stands now and with this being a big fight weekend in Las Vegas, I would not be surprised to see it go north even more as it is the last big game on the board before visitors leave town. The number seems too high to me here and I was willing to back Houston at 7 or higher.
With the Rockets turning the ball over 19 times when meeting the Lakers last time and getting into foul trouble sooner than stars of the Lakers did, I expect them to be more disciplined this time around. This is despite a losing record on the road this season so far, but I feel going into the big stage of the Staples Center against the Lakers makes every team bring their “A” game. The Rockets may have even been looking past the Kings a little with this game coming up tonight and I look for them to get the money against Kobe and company. Take the points with the Houston Rockets.
Three other Sunday night matchups
Leading up to the Rockets-Lakers clash, three other matchups are on the board to get your bankroll built in case the NFL does not treat you well this afternoon.
Tonight’s NBA card starts off with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Detroit Pistons which should feature some defense on both sides of the court. Both squads are among the top ten in the league for fewest points allowed and I am especially picturing a slow tempo to this game with the early Sunday evening tip time.
Although the Mavericks exploded for some points at home recently putting up 121 and 129 on the Rockets and Toronto Raptors, respectively, I would not count on that in this road spot especially with it being their third road game in a row. Likewise, the Pistons come into this one off a wild game yesterday in Washington which needed a fourth quarter comeback for a victory so it is not the best situation for them despite being home. Look for both teams to just go through the motions here today and for the under 184 1/2 to have the best value.
In Phoenix, the Suns are hosting the Toronto Raptors in what should be an exciting game to watch as Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu look to put up points against Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Phoenix opened as a 6 ½ point favorite and weekend betting action in Las Vegas has pushed this up to 7 ½ at press time.
With the high scoring expected, I was initially planning to back the over in this matchup instead of a side but it came out very high opening at 232 ½. Instead of having to rely on some wild scoring, I am going to take the points the Raptors here as 7 ½ could turn out to be a lot.
Toronto comes into this game with two straight wins and no lead will be safe when these teams meet. Despite being off a loss, the Suns will be a lot less up for this game after having their emotions crushed against the Lakers on Thursday which was a real showdown to look forward to compared to this clash today.
Rounding out tonight’s card is a matchup with the LA Clippers coming into Oklahoma City and facing the Thunder as 6 point underdogs. Why they chose this game for NBA-TV tonight given the three other games on the board is beyond me, but there could at least be some angles to make a few bucks with it.
The Clippers will be coming into this one pretty frustrated having lost three straight games, including a close loss against the Thunder, during a four game homestand this past week. This is the first of a three game road trip for LA and they likely feel all three games are win-able for them so I feel confidence will be high coming into tonight.
Meanwhile, the Thunder should have their emotions possibly in a situation for a letdown at home after defeating the Spurs in San Antonio yesterday. A game with the Spurs will take its physical toll on any team, but being able to beat them in San Antonio and then having to face a more lackluster opponent the next night is not where I would want to be laying points. Take a chance on the Clippers and their defense to steal a road cover here with the 6 points they are getting.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
By: "Reload" Joe Freda | reload.mysbrforum.com
A week and a half ago in Houston, Kobe Bryant piled in 41 points for the Lakers in an overtime 103-102 win which snapped a three-game Rockets winning streak.
Tonight in LA is a rematch between the Lakers and Rockets with an inflated line thanks to the Lakers getting crushed in Denver on Friday and bettors thinking they cannot lose two in a row. The Rockets come into off of their own embarrassing loss in Sacramento and combining that with revenge in this spot should make them keep it close.
Last year the Rockets and Lakers had a playoff series going the full seven games, resulting in LA moving on and Houston having to pack in their season. After the Lakers went on to win the NBA Championship, Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza ended up flip-flopping between these squads shortly after with each team hoping to improve certain areas this year.
So far, both have started out with winning records this season and currently hold second place spots in their respective divisions with the Rockets at 5-4 and the Lakers standing at 7-2. Even with decent starts, both teams know it will take more than that to get through the competitive West this season.
In the first matchup between the Rockets and Lakers back on November 4, it was all about defense as both teams shot a combined 12 for 39 from the three point line and a total of 68 defensive rebounds occurring during the game. Luis Scola and Andrew Bynum led the rebounding for the Rockets and Lakers, respectively, and we should see the same kind of battling on the boards for the ball tonight.
While the Rockets did not have an answer for Bryant the first time around, Derek Fisher was held to zero points despite being on the court for 34 minutes. Fisher also had no points in Denver on Friday and has not been underachieving more this season compared to past years.
Houston showed some steady contribution in the first meeting with six players reaching double figures, including Carl Landry who led all Rockets’ scorers with 20 points from the bench. Landry will be coming into LA off his worst game of the season in Sacramento only making one basket in his entire time on the floor which should get him focused on returning to a more solid effort tonight.
The downfall for Houston in Sacramento was finding themselves in a shootout early with the Kings and I feel that will not happen tonight in LA. With the Lakers also getting smoked in Denver, I feel tonight’s matchup will have more of a smashmouth feel to it and we will see neither team wanting to make mistakes on the floor letting anyone from the other side score. Although the fans in LA would like to see a big blowout win, drawing the revenge-minded Rockets tonight as an opponent was not what the doctor ordered and this one could go down to the final buzzer just like last time.
The point spread for tonight’s game opened yesterday with the Lakers favored by 8 ½ points at both The Greek and Bookmaker. A few hours later, the line moved up to 9 ½ where it stands now and with this being a big fight weekend in Las Vegas, I would not be surprised to see it go north even more as it is the last big game on the board before visitors leave town. The number seems too high to me here and I was willing to back Houston at 7 or higher.
With the Rockets turning the ball over 19 times when meeting the Lakers last time and getting into foul trouble sooner than stars of the Lakers did, I expect them to be more disciplined this time around. This is despite a losing record on the road this season so far, but I feel going into the big stage of the Staples Center against the Lakers makes every team bring their “A” game. The Rockets may have even been looking past the Kings a little with this game coming up tonight and I look for them to get the money against Kobe and company. Take the points with the Houston Rockets.
Three other Sunday night matchups
Leading up to the Rockets-Lakers clash, three other matchups are on the board to get your bankroll built in case the NFL does not treat you well this afternoon.
Tonight’s NBA card starts off with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Detroit Pistons which should feature some defense on both sides of the court. Both squads are among the top ten in the league for fewest points allowed and I am especially picturing a slow tempo to this game with the early Sunday evening tip time.
Although the Mavericks exploded for some points at home recently putting up 121 and 129 on the Rockets and Toronto Raptors, respectively, I would not count on that in this road spot especially with it being their third road game in a row. Likewise, the Pistons come into this one off a wild game yesterday in Washington which needed a fourth quarter comeback for a victory so it is not the best situation for them despite being home. Look for both teams to just go through the motions here today and for the under 184 1/2 to have the best value.
In Phoenix, the Suns are hosting the Toronto Raptors in what should be an exciting game to watch as Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu look to put up points against Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Phoenix opened as a 6 ½ point favorite and weekend betting action in Las Vegas has pushed this up to 7 ½ at press time.
With the high scoring expected, I was initially planning to back the over in this matchup instead of a side but it came out very high opening at 232 ½. Instead of having to rely on some wild scoring, I am going to take the points the Raptors here as 7 ½ could turn out to be a lot.
Toronto comes into this game with two straight wins and no lead will be safe when these teams meet. Despite being off a loss, the Suns will be a lot less up for this game after having their emotions crushed against the Lakers on Thursday which was a real showdown to look forward to compared to this clash today.
Rounding out tonight’s card is a matchup with the LA Clippers coming into Oklahoma City and facing the Thunder as 6 point underdogs. Why they chose this game for NBA-TV tonight given the three other games on the board is beyond me, but there could at least be some angles to make a few bucks with it.
The Clippers will be coming into this one pretty frustrated having lost three straight games, including a close loss against the Thunder, during a four game homestand this past week. This is the first of a three game road trip for LA and they likely feel all three games are win-able for them so I feel confidence will be high coming into tonight.
Meanwhile, the Thunder should have their emotions possibly in a situation for a letdown at home after defeating the Spurs in San Antonio yesterday. A game with the Spurs will take its physical toll on any team, but being able to beat them in San Antonio and then having to face a more lackluster opponent the next night is not where I would want to be laying points. Take a chance on the Clippers and their defense to steal a road cover here with the 6 points they are getting.
