Why do people like the Lakers tonight?

[SBR Lou]

OK, I understand they're the best and likely winning the rock this year.

But, let's hold it right there.

Utah is dominant at home, whittled a 20pt deficit to one possession in game 2, and LA has no answer for Deron Williams.

All that considered, combined with NBA playoffs and how they're historically officiated, I see the home team+whistles+crowd into this one enough to ensure a 7pt Utah victory.

[VegasDave]

The Lakers are also the best road team in the league, if you want to play that card

[una13ombr]

lakers lost the lead jus because usally teams let up jus like cavs did with detroit...but what happend when they turned it up? they took the lead to another level once agian and one.

there may be no answer for deron..but utah has ZERO answers for lakers height..they are WAY to big.

this is also the playoffs..put what utah has done at home in the regular season out the window, I feel like lakers are on a serious mission and are def. gonna bring the game tonight. and if anything i see a last bucket win from utah not a 7-point victory.

to me its worth backing the number one team lakers to jus simply win vs betting a team that MAY have okur (who even if he does play will he be 100%? ) and a team that hasnt had a single answer for lakers constant LAY UP drills on the terrible utah defense.

L.A to win!

[pavyracer]

http://forum.sbrforum.com/nba-basketball-handicapping/72692-lakers-v-jazz.html#post721445

[SportsTerminator]

People like the Lakers because their the future 2008-2009 NBA Champs. But I like Utah to win GAME 3 because they are DOMINANT at home. And besides the refs have Utah moneyline as always hahahah.

[Shark79]

Its gonna be a close game.

If you have a -1.5 line like I did ... a basket is all I need.

[smarmy]

because if you don't.....Kobe will rape your women!

[Shark79]

what does rape have to do with this?

Step it up Crumbs

[SBR Lou]

People like the Lakers because their the future 2008-2009 NBA Champs.

Right I understand the Lakers are penciled in by many to win the crown, or at least advance to Finals, but I think this is causing the belief that the play is either to back the Lakers to cover, win, or stay away entirely.

[una13ombr]

crazy does have a point ...if we are so 50/50 maybe we jus shouldnt bet on this game haha

[pavyracer]

You had them going to seven games last year and they were swept so I trust your judgement this year CrazyLou.

[una13ombr]

ATL half court offense makes me want to throw up...jesus soooo bad

one on one bullshit

[HoulihansTX]

I dont understand the "Utah is dominant at home" argument. Lakers went to Boston and Cleveland on the tail end of a road trip, and beat them both. Boston has the same adv Utah has, when considering home court. Cleveland lost only 1 significant game at home, and that was to the Lakers. Face it, some home courts even out the playing field, but Jazz have proven to us they are the inferior team. Pau Gasol, and Bynum are still the best two big men on the court. So rebounding and the ability to accumulate foul calls still resides with the Lakers. Gl to all

[FreeFall]

not sure I'm on jazz waiting for the LAL money to push it back to +2 or maybe more.

[SBR Lou]

You had them going to seven games last year and they were swept so I trust your judgement this year CrazyLou.

They weren't swept, that series went 6 games.

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Utah Jazz

May 4 1 Utah Jazz 98, Los Angeles Lakers 109
May 7 2 Utah Jazz 110, Los Angeles Lakers 120
May 9 3 Los Angeles Lakers 99, Utah Jazz 104
May 11 4 Los Angeles Lakers 115, Utah Jazz 123 (OT)
May 14 5 Utah Jazz 104, Los Angeles Lakers 111
May 16 6 Los Angeles Lakers 108, Utah Jazz 105

[slacker00]

OK, I understand they're the best and likely winning the rock this year.

But, let's hold it right there.

Utah is dominant at home, whittled a 20pt deficit to one possession in game 2, and LA has no answer for Deron Williams.

All that considered, combined with NBA playoffs and how they're historically officiated, I see the home team+whistles+crowd into this one enough to ensure a 7pt Utah victory.

Don't the Lakers get their share of breaks even on the road? It seems like they're the NBA darling this year, even for the refs. I don't see Utah home crowd as being as effective against the Lakers as some other venues and matchups.

[LT Profits]

The play is UTAH or pass, just as with virtually ANY NBA home team in Game 3 that is down 0-2. The home team is historically over 60% ATS in this situation and much higher SU, which is relevant since Jazz are a small dog.

[HoulihansTX]

The play is UTAH or pass, just as with virtually ANY NBA home team in Game 3 that is down 0-2. The home team is historically over 60% ATS in this situation and much higher SU, which is relevant since Jazz are a small dog.

Very true, but the way the lines came out was standard procedure for the books, on 0-2 dogs receiving home court. It seems the books are just playing the history, not the Lakers dominance of the past two games.

[SBR Lou]

Don't the Lakers get their share of breaks even on the road? It seems like they're the NBA darling this year, even for the refs. I don't see Utah home crowd as being as effective against the Lakers as some other venues and matchups.

For a team that shoots so many jumpers they sure do find ways to get to the line a heck of a lot sometimes.

I do believe though that if Utah was just a little better and could really take this one 7 games that the refs would be decidedly in favor of LA, it's just how the league is and always has been.

[smarmy]

what does rape have to do with this?

Step it up Crumbs

It doesn't. But everyone thinks Kobe will carry the team and I think that they're not going to make it. So I took a cheap shot.

[LT Profits]

Very true, but the way the lines came out was standard procedure for the books, on 0-2 dogs receiving home court. It seems the books are just playing the history, not the Lakers dominance of the past two games.

Yes but the home team dominated the first two games a lot of times in these situations, only to see a role reversal in Game 3 with the change in venue.

[HoulihansTX]

Yes but the home team dominated the first two games a lot of times in these situations, only to see a role reversal in Game 3 with the change in venue.

Good to see every has an opinion today. No one is tailing, lots of discussion. GL to all

[NBA Hero]

not all calls favor home court teams.

bulls got the call on salmon double dribble on game1

why lakers are picked by the public cause jazz sucks. regular season record are just stats. either pick lakers to win by one possession or stay off. dont wish for a miracle on jazz to win a game this series on game3.

its obvious lakers will win the series, so bet ML or risk on lakers to get the job done everytime either ML or with the odds or stay off if its to high to risk

no brainer

[NBA Hero]

For a team that shoots so many jumpers they sure do find ways to get to the line a heck of a lot sometimes.

I do believe though that if Utah was just a little better and could really take this one 7 games that the refs would be decidedly in favor of LA, it's just how the league is and always has been.

thats real funny lou.

if the series reach game 7, i will never post again.

who knows, maybe kobe and pau will get injured

[SBR Lou]

thats real funny lou.

if the series reach game 7, i will never post again.

who knows, maybe kobe and pau will get injured

Well, while I don't see it going 7 games I don't think it is as wildly improbable as you might think. If Okur was in the line-up and the game was played without refs I could see the Jazz losing in 7 easily, heck they lost in 6 last season.

[HARLUMWLD]

Dont forget that Utah lost to a very Shitty Minny and GSW teams at home while they were fighting for the 6 seed in the last 5 games of the season.

[Buckeye]

Lakers are not playing defense so far in this series. I know they have the offensive fire power to outscore any team in the league but defense counts for something and I have to go with Utah tonight at home. They won 33 games at home this season and will get a home win tonight. I just don't see them getting swept in this series, unless LA picks up their intensity tonight and plays up to their capabilities. Utah ML and plus the 1.5.

[BobHarvey]

The over is the play tonight.

[BobHarvey]

In five games this year:

228
213
227
222
213

[BatemanPatrickl]

Lake Show .5 1H.

[Famou$ $wag]

alright guys im taking a couple small parlays tonight with jerry sloan and the boys...let me no what youthink

Jazz +2
Jazz/Lakers Under 214
Celts ML

I also have one without the celts

[jjgold]

It seems like a trap, Lakers are actually due for a big game in Utah so I am taking them also.

[specialedbob]

Well,this utah team is very intimatading ,even I wonder if the laker's are second guessing them self's.They will throw a monkey wrench with the laker's plan.

"Lately, Iv'e been noticing hair growth on the palm's of my hand's, I wonder why?"

Special Ed. Bob

[pavyracer]

It seems like a trap, Lakers are actually due for a big game in Utah so I am taking them also.

[Tsoprano]

Lots of time left, don't you know no lead is safe in the NBA.

Especially an 8 point lead