Posted:
#26
Practiced well but is in pain and endurance is questionable. Cuts and stops could aggravate further.
Denver at Los Angeles (05/21/2009)
Posted:
#28
I'm taking the LAKERS and the UNDER tonight. The Nuggets blew there chance last game and might have given away the series with it. Like Kobe said, the Lakers are bipolar. They had their bad game on Tuesday and still found a way to win. I expect their good game tonight with a win and cover.
You also have to take the Nugget injuries into consideration too. J.R. Smith with a sprained knee, K-Mart with a fractured ring finger and don't forget about Linas Kleiza with a fractured thumb. That's a lot of offense off the bench (Smith and Kleiza) and arguabely their best defender and rebounder (K-Mart) with some serious injuries there.
I expect Gasol to get more than 9 shots in this game and for the Lakers to get to the line more than they did in Game 1. And can Andrew Bynum please stop fouling people. The guy is a starter in the league and only plays 15 minutes a game because he can't stay out of foul trouble. It's your 4th season in the league, it's put up or shut up time. Do Something?
One area that does concern me about taking the Lakers is the amount of free throws Denver got last game. They were 23-35 at the charity stripe last game. They will not miss that many this game and you know Chauncey Billups is not going to go 6-9 from the line or 2-7 from beyond the arc. L.A. has to play better defense and keep Denver out of the lane.
In the end I think Denver's injuries slow them down, the Lakers tighten up on defense, and Gasol has himself a big game.
LAKERS & UNDER
Posted:
#29
Denver smoked those OVERs against the Mavs. So the O/U opened at 115, but everyone still took the OVER. Vegas giggled.
Game 1 came in comfortably under. OU drop to 110 for this game and everyone, having learned their lesson, is taking the under. Vegas is still giggling...
OVER 1st half
If it doesn't hit,
chase OVER 2nd half
Posted:
#30
Quote Originally Posted by TauntedStreet:
...Congrats on that Orlando +8.5 (with an added 3 "for insurance") last night.
I think Devin actually took Cleveland in that. Devin quoted my Orlando + the 3 points for insurance, and you quoted him. I don't know if its really a congrats is all I'm sayin
Posted:
#33
If the line moves are any indication over these last 2 games in the final four, all initial line movements have backed the losing play. That's an impressive 4-4. Cleveland total dropped, goes over, Lakers total rose, went under, Lakers side froze, Denver should've won but still covered, Cleveland side went up, Orlando beat them.
Now in tonight's game Lakers are dropping as a favorite (6 --> 5.5) and Total is going higher (210.5 ---> 211). I'm never going to say that betting line movements are guarantees, but I thought those movements were interesting since I liked Lakers tonight and the movement is backing up that play.
However I also liked the over and apparently that's kind of the consensus on posts, but Lakers are not the majority of players, most are thinking Denver ML.
Anyone else watch game one, and see a dominating defensive performance by Denver the first quarter, and very good offensive paint control by Denver, and yet with all the advantages (35 free throws I believe), they lost by 2. I get the feeling that if Lakers were so so, and Denver was "awesome" by all accounts and lost the game, that 5.5 is not going to be hard to cover if Lakers get out to a lead and maintain.
I'm leaning towards Lakers 1st Quarter, 1st Half, and Game. Still debating which is stronger, but likely game.
GL all
(big)
Posted:
#38
Quote Originally Posted by dddevin69:
cant wait to here wat ur picks is for today so i can bet against you!!!......ur numer 1 fan.....checcmystyle!!!
LA Lakers -3. . . 1st half! 
I"m going to frame this. I've haven't seen you pick a favorite in a while. I"m curious as to who ur pick is overall. congrats on Orlando +9 ystrdy. I knew it would be close, but I didn't see Orlando beating them straight up. I still can't imagine Clev losing the series though. clev in 6
Posted:
#40
Denver averages only 98.7 points per game against the Lakers (last 10 games average). They scored 103 last game, 102 the game before that, and 90 the game before that. They scored higher than average the last 2 games and will traditionally score less this game.
AGAIN: 
DENVER TEAM TOTAL FOR GAME UNDER 103 
Posted:
#41
Quote Originally Posted by dddevin69:
QUOTE Originally Posted by Air_Macks:
All I can say for now is that this Game 2 will be a high scoring affair. Too many damn turnovers from both teams; too many fouls to ever really get in the zone or create momentum and the Lakers took too long to get hot in the first half.
All I can say for now is that this Game 2 will be a high scoring affair. Too many damn turnovers from both teams; too many fouls to ever really get in the zone or create momentum and the Lakers took too long to get hot in the first half.
Melo has played outstanding thus far, and J.R. Smith will definitely get his shot going sooner than Game 1 and contribute to the points via 3 pointers.
Both of these teams barely use up the shot clock, and like to out-do one another as far as instant offense. I'm not taking the spread on this one, but if I had to make a prediction it would be:
LAL 114 DEN 108 -- Let's Gamble
smart man....smarter than the MORON who posted in the 1st thread LA to cover....GUARANTEED.......what a dumb***. I think your post is the best I've seen on here. agreed...let's gamble
EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Devin - If by "gamble" you mean "have gay sex with you and possibly contract something" then no thanks - - - and also if by "gamble" you mean the Nuggets cover, then no thanks either..... Sorry, but unlike your boyfriend with you, Kobe is just too much man for this Nuggets team. Better luck at home - and I like the Nuggets, don't get me wrong - but not here, not in L.A., and surely not siding with your Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Lance Bass, Spandex and Leather Jumpsuit wearin' ass..........
Posted:
#44
Nuggets at Lakers -5.5
"Bball is about matchups"
Lakers: KB redislocated his finger will play
Nuggets: K Martin L ring finger fx will play
JR Smith R knee sprain, did not practice, did running in whirlpool instead, will play
Line has fallen 3 pts since Gm1, consensus must be leaning Den after they led most of Gm1
LA loses home court advantage if they lose tonight, no pressure on Den
Den has come back strong after their 2 losses in the playoffs, after 2 pt loss to NO they won in NO by 58pts 121-63, after 2 pt loss in Dallas they win by 14 pts 124-110
Feeling in LA is they got lucky and stole the game at the FT line, but also that Lakers played ok and Den played well and Lakers still won. (not sure this is correct)
Big problem for Den was off rebounding only 7 vs 17 for LA, contributing to shot attempt differential of only 74 for Den and 90 attempts for LA. (That's 16 more shots or 21% more attempts) Considering they only lost by 2 that's amazing.
Denver's off efficiency in the playoffs has been off the charts at 117.3 vs 107.5 in the reg season
Lakers were 109.8 in the reg vs 107.9 in the playoffs
(means they score 117.3 pts per 100 possessions)
Also Den shot only 65% from FT line vs season avg of 76%. While Lakers were 83% from FT line vs season avg of 77% (if they shoot their avgs that's 6 pts more for Den)
Expect J Smith to contribute more than 8 pts tonight,
D Jones will get more than 1 pt also (his early foul trouble guarding Kobe took him out of Gm1)
Nene is capable of have big gms in the 20s from time to time
I expect C Anthony to get into the lane tonight more than Gm 1, and Den to be more physical.
Poor Lakers haven't figured out the key is getting Gasol the ball in the low post. He shoots like 55% and 78% FT's, and hardly ever gets doubles. Give Fisher's attempts to Gasol and Lakers win every gm.
Taking Nuggets -6
"Bball is about matchups"
Lakers: KB redislocated his finger will play
Nuggets: K Martin L ring finger fx will play
JR Smith R knee sprain, did not practice, did running in whirlpool instead, will play
Line has fallen 3 pts since Gm1, consensus must be leaning Den after they led most of Gm1
LA loses home court advantage if they lose tonight, no pressure on Den
Den has come back strong after their 2 losses in the playoffs, after 2 pt loss to NO they won in NO by 58pts 121-63, after 2 pt loss in Dallas they win by 14 pts 124-110
Feeling in LA is they got lucky and stole the game at the FT line, but also that Lakers played ok and Den played well and Lakers still won. (not sure this is correct)
Big problem for Den was off rebounding only 7 vs 17 for LA, contributing to shot attempt differential of only 74 for Den and 90 attempts for LA. (That's 16 more shots or 21% more attempts) Considering they only lost by 2 that's amazing.
Denver's off efficiency in the playoffs has been off the charts at 117.3 vs 107.5 in the reg season
Lakers were 109.8 in the reg vs 107.9 in the playoffs
(means they score 117.3 pts per 100 possessions)
Also Den shot only 65% from FT line vs season avg of 76%. While Lakers were 83% from FT line vs season avg of 77% (if they shoot their avgs that's 6 pts more for Den)
Expect J Smith to contribute more than 8 pts tonight,
D Jones will get more than 1 pt also (his early foul trouble guarding Kobe took him out of Gm1)
Nene is capable of have big gms in the 20s from time to time
I expect C Anthony to get into the lane tonight more than Gm 1, and Den to be more physical.
Poor Lakers haven't figured out the key is getting Gasol the ball in the low post. He shoots like 55% and 78% FT's, and hardly ever gets doubles. Give Fisher's attempts to Gasol and Lakers win every gm.
Taking Nuggets -6
Posted:
#48
Some of the posts
on this site are similar to the bettors at the casinos, especially horse bettors that yell at the TV when their race is running. Just plain stupid. 
For this game, the over seems the way to go. Both teams can score over a 100 and if the free throws are made that were missed last night, look for an over.
The refs were on LA's side the other night. Melo 5 fowls, Kobe 3 fowls. Not a big LA fan, nor a Denver fan. Just a bettor who is looking for insight. But Kobe is as big a cry baby as he is a finisher. Tough spot for Denver, but I think they cover and over. Not a fortune teller but would like to see. Denver 109, LA 111 or so. Good luck. Now I know what comes from Oklahoma. You figure it out cowboy.
on this site are similar to the bettors at the casinos, especially horse bettors that yell at the TV when their race is running. Just plain stupid. For this game, the over seems the way to go. Both teams can score over a 100 and if the free throws are made that were missed last night, look for an over.The refs were on LA's side the other night. Melo 5 fowls, Kobe 3 fowls. Not a big LA fan, nor a Denver fan. Just a bettor who is looking for insight. But Kobe is as big a cry baby as he is a finisher. Tough spot for Denver, but I think they cover and over. Not a fortune teller but would like to see. Denver 109, LA 111 or so. Good luck. Now I know what comes from Oklahoma. You figure it out cowboy.
Posted:
#49
I think both teams come out with the same intensity they did at the end of game one, both teams play sharp and loose, and I'm looking at that 1st quarter total of 53 and thinking about the 23-point-egg LA laid on tuesday (and D Fish finally getting his shot back) and I'm seeing it fly over the 53.
There will be absolutely no rust in this game, probably way less nerves. Both teams should start well.
And despite the fact that LA is just 1-5 this season when leading in a playoff series, I think last night's game finally scared the shit out of them, and gave them the idea for the first time that they could actually lose 4 games to someone, and I think they'll be all business tonight.
*I expect Gasol to score more than 13 points,
* for the Nugget supporting crew of Smith, Andersen and Carter to shoot better than (4 of 15)
* for Nene to score even more points because no one's paying attention to him (or he's possibly a matchup problem) and the Lakers still just love to give up those dunks and lay-ups,
* and for Melo to continue to get his, despite the fact that Phil is going to try and limit his touches based on how their offense originates. He's just been too good.
* And let's not even talk about whatever positive impact Chauncey has on this game. He's continued presence is a guarantee.
For all of these reason I do like the *Game total over the 212.
As for the side, the million dollar question about Denver is how much of a backbreaker was that loss? And if you read the Denver Post, you get the feeling, based on observations of George Karl sitting and stewing for an awfully long time after the game, and the general Nugget demeanor in the locker room, that it really hurt them alot.
And why the hell wouldn't it?
Jesus Christ.
Sportswriters . . .
There's also a lot of finger pointing at Karl from fans bringing up the occasional coaching blunder that's cost them this season and questions of whether the players have championship pedigree, in contrast to credit given to Phil Jackson for sending double-teams at JR Smith knowing he's a) probably rarely seen them and b) hit a great number of big shots for the Nugs that have actually sparked them to victory on occasion.
But to me, it all smacks of heartache.
George Karl is good, good coach and in retrospect, Game One had to also be encouraging for them because they know if they shoot better than 65% from the line tuesday night, they're already up one,
and the opportunity is still there for them to take a split back home to Denver.
So I think they're coming right back at LA, and I think we're going to have another close, even higher scoring game with LA winning somewhere along the lines of 112 to 105.
Just 2 free cents from the Angry Feline
There will be absolutely no rust in this game, probably way less nerves. Both teams should start well.
And despite the fact that LA is just 1-5 this season when leading in a playoff series, I think last night's game finally scared the shit out of them, and gave them the idea for the first time that they could actually lose 4 games to someone, and I think they'll be all business tonight.
*I expect Gasol to score more than 13 points,
* for the Nugget supporting crew of Smith, Andersen and Carter to shoot better than (4 of 15)
* for Nene to score even more points because no one's paying attention to him (or he's possibly a matchup problem) and the Lakers still just love to give up those dunks and lay-ups,
* and for Melo to continue to get his, despite the fact that Phil is going to try and limit his touches based on how their offense originates. He's just been too good.
* And let's not even talk about whatever positive impact Chauncey has on this game. He's continued presence is a guarantee.
For all of these reason I do like the *Game total over the 212.
As for the side, the million dollar question about Denver is how much of a backbreaker was that loss? And if you read the Denver Post, you get the feeling, based on observations of George Karl sitting and stewing for an awfully long time after the game, and the general Nugget demeanor in the locker room, that it really hurt them alot.
And why the hell wouldn't it?
Jesus Christ.
Sportswriters . . .
There's also a lot of finger pointing at Karl from fans bringing up the occasional coaching blunder that's cost them this season and questions of whether the players have championship pedigree, in contrast to credit given to Phil Jackson for sending double-teams at JR Smith knowing he's a) probably rarely seen them and b) hit a great number of big shots for the Nugs that have actually sparked them to victory on occasion.
But to me, it all smacks of heartache.
George Karl is good, good coach and in retrospect, Game One had to also be encouraging for them because they know if they shoot better than 65% from the line tuesday night, they're already up one,
and the opportunity is still there for them to take a split back home to Denver.
So I think they're coming right back at LA, and I think we're going to have another close, even higher scoring game with LA winning somewhere along the lines of 112 to 105.
Just 2 free cents from the Angry Feline
Hot Forum Topics
