Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Game 1 Expert Picks, Odds and Predictions – NBA Playoffs Betting Preview 5/2/11: Sharp shooting Dirk Nowitzki will lead the Dallas Mavericks on the road to the Staples Center to take on closer Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night at 10:30 PM ET on TNT Sports. There is no love lost between these clubs as was evident in their most recent meeting which the Lakers won 110-82 following several ejections and technical fouls. The win gave the Lakers a 2-1 head to head advantage after the teams split the first two games giving them the home court advantage since they finished with identical records.
So far the players and even Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Laker Coach Phil Jackson have been pleasant since Cuban called him Jeannie Buss’s “boy toy” earlier in the season. Dallas got here by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 103-96 in Game 6 to finish the series 4-2. The Lakers advanced 4-2 as well by beating the New Orleans Hornets 98-80 in Game 6 making it look easier than the series had been for them. The odds makers at JustBET have the Los Angeles Lakers a -6 point favorite at home against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers had more of a struggle in the first round than many may have considered that they would although they looked better as the series progressed. An ankle injury to Kobe certainly seemed to reduce his usually outrageous stats as he averaged just 22.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in the first round. Rumored for trade earlier in the season Andrew Bynum excelled as the 2nd leading scorer with 15.2 points per game and top rebounder with 10.3 boards per game. Ron Artest’s presence on the floor reduces the Mavericks 3 point field goal percentage from 48% to 22% against the Lakers. Vegas odds makers have the Los Angeles Lakers +250 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
Forward Dirk Nowitzki continues to lead the Mavericks scoring attack with 27.3 points per game in the first round good for 3rd in the NBA while also pulling down 7.8 rebounds and dishing 3.0 assists per game. Guards Jason Terry with 17.3 points and 3.8 assists and Jason Kidd with 11.7 points and 6.5 assists provide a balanced scoring attack. The Mavs have improved defensively but are still below the Lakers in almost all defensive categories while being fairly even offensively. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 189 points combined of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Free Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5
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| GAME 1 Boston Celtics at Miami Heat Date: 5/2/2011 Time: 10:35 PM EST on TNT 2011 NBA 1st Round Playoffs Series: Series Tied 0-0 Vegas Odds – Favorite: LA Lakers -5.5(pointspread) Total: Over/Under 189 |
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