Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers 2011 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: Head coach John Kuester will lead the Detroit Pistons to the star studded Staples Center to take on the two time defending NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers at 10:35 PM ET. Detroit has lost 11 of their last 12 road games and enters the contest at 11-23 4th in the Central while the Lakers are struggling of late losing 4 of their last six and come into the game 23-11 1st in the Pacific. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson originally said that MVP Kobe Bryant was fouling things up for the team by trying to take things in his own hands but has since said that he meant to say Kobe was charging them up. Never the less they have lost 4 of those last 6 by 20 points and need to right the ship. “We’re not really playing together, and as a result, it’s costing us,” center Andrew Bynum said. “Right now, we’ve got to be concerned. We have to be. … Good teams are looking at us like we’re soft.” “We have to respond with better energy defensively, getting back on defense especially after turnovers,” Jackson told the Lakers’ official website. The odds makers at Bodog have the Los Angeles Lakers a -12 point favorite at home against the Detroit Pistons.
The Lakers are coming off a 104-85 defeat at home to the Memphis Grizzlies moving to 15-19 ATS for the season. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 28 points with Pau Gasol scoring 10. “We’ve just got to come out focused and ready to play,” Kobe Bryant said. “It’s tough when you have to try to regenerate that energy every single night. It starts individually. You have to look at yourself and try to find things to get you going.” Vegas odds makers have the Los Angeles Lakers +200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Pistons are coming off consecutive losses most recently 102-97 on the road to the Utah Jazz moving to a surprising 20-14 ATS for the season. Tayshaun Prince led the scoring with 26 points while Tracy McGrady was one rebound short of a triple double with 11 points 9 rebounds and 11 assists in the loss. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 196 points combined of the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons.
I predict a Laker win at home.
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.