Friday, May 25th, 2012
The LA Lakers will look to bounce back in the win column when they face the Washington Wizards in an NBA pro basketball game on Tuesday night. Tip off time in Washington D.C. is set for 7PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by the NBA package.
The early money from the NBA betting public has come in on the favorite, as the LA Lakers are currently an 8-point favorite. The total has seen early movement in the betting towards the under, as the over under is currently lined at 199.
NBA money line gamblers can make a play on the favored LA Lakers at –330 with the home underdog Washington Wizards returning +250 to pull off the straight up win without the need for getting the points on their side.
These clubs are making their first of two meetings this season. LA swept their two games with the Wizards last year. The Lakers escaped in their meeting last year in Washington with a 106-104 victory. LA shot the ball very well hitting on 50% of their shots and 50% from the three-point line.
The Lakers are 1-2 on this East coast road trip losing games at Cleveland and Toronto. The Lakers dropped a 106-105 decision to the Toronto Raptors in a game where LA allowed the Raptors to shoot for 47.6% from the field. The Lakers are just 10-8 on the road this season.
Kobe Bryant shot a bit better in the Toronto loss hitting on 11 of 24 from the field for 27 points. His touch from the three-point line was off against the Raptors where he hit on only 1 of 6.
Forward Ron Artest is suffering from pantar fascitis after breaking in new basketball shoes. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is not very happy with Artest right now. The 10-year veteran has struggled hitting on just 15 of 41 over his past 5 games. Artest in 28 minutes against the Raptors had only 5 points and just 1 rebound. Following his poor game against he Cavaliers Pau Gasol poured in 20 points against the Knicks and 22 at Toronto.
The Washington Wizards are just 8-14 at home this season. The team has lost 12 of their past 16 games as they sit at 14-29 on the season. They have really struggled offensively averaging just 90 points per game over their past 5 games.
The Wizards were embarrassed on Sunday losing to the LA Clippers 92-78. The team only scored 10 points in the final quarter in defeat. The team is without guard Gilbert Arenas who was suspended from the team due to his gun charge. DeShawn Stevenson has been inserted into the starting lineup for Arenas and has only averaged 3.2 points per game over his past 5 games.
Trend: Washington is 4-1 to the under in their past 5 games
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