NBA Free Picks and Odds: Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Lakers Expert Predictions – NBA Betting 2/22/11: Shooting guard Joe Johnson will lead the Atlanta Hawks on the road to the Staples Center to take on All Star Game MVP Kobe Bryant and the rollercoaster Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at 10:30 PM ET on NBA TV Channel. The Atlanta Hawks have lost 3 of their last 4 and enter the game at 34-21(3rd in the Southeast) and would currently be a 5th seed in the Eastern Conference if the playoffs began today. The Lakers started the season looking like the two-time defending champions that were going for a three peat but have lost their last 3. However, despite the recent struggles, the Lakers at 38-19 are still 1st in the Pacific and they would be a 3rd seed in the Western Conference if the playoffs began today.
“I think they took the break before the game started,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the final loss in Cleveland on Wednesday. “They are more athletic than we are as a basketball team, so it’s not about athleticism, it’s about how to control the game.” Jackson said. The Lakers are not traditionally a team that worries about the regular season and Kobe is coming off the All Star game where he was named the MVP at home but they need to show more focus in the last part of the season to be taken seriously as title contenders in the playoffs. The odds makers at BetUS have the Los Angeles Lakers a -7 1/2 point favorite at home against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Lakers 3 game skid prior to the All Star Game eneded with a 104-99 egg on the road at the Cleveland Cavaliers to move them to 25-32 ATS for the season. Forward Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 30 points while pulling down 20 rebounds while Kobe added 17 points and 12 boards. LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta.
The Hawks are coming off a 102-90 loss to the New York Knicks at the Garden to move to 25-30 ATS for the season. Forward Marvin Williams led all 5 starters in double figures with 17 points while pulling down 8 rebounds and dishing 3 assists. The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 188 1/2 points combined of the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.
Recent Hawks vs Lakers NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Atlanta: Over is 7-2 in ATL last 9 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-2 in ATL last 8 vs. NBA Pacific.
L.A. Lakers: Under is 14-6 in LAL last 20 home games.
Under is 31-15 in LAL last 46 overall.
Vegas NBA Betting Lines:
Favorite: Miami -7 Total: O/U 189(Morning Lines at The Mirage in Las Vegas)
NSAwins Blog Writer Rich Fritz’s Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Lakers Free NBA Picks: Play Lakers -7
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