Los Angeles at Washington (12/14/2010)

Away:  L.A. Lakers [10-14 ATS]
Home:  Washington [9-13 ATS]

Game Time: 7:00 PM
Stadium: Verizon Center

Recent Meetings:
12/07/10 - WAS 108 vs. LAL 115

Team Leaders:

L.A. Lakers:
Points: Kobe Bryant (26.7)
Assists: Kobe Bryant (4.7)
Rebounds: Pau Gasol (11.4)

Washington:
Points: Gilbert Arenas (17.5)
Assists: John Wall (8.9)
Rebounds: JaVale McGee (8.5)

More:
Live Odds
In-Depth Matchup Information
Consensus Betting Information

Wizards +10.5

I'll take the home dog in this one. In the last 5 games at home the Wizards have not lost by 11 points. The Lakers have been winning, but they haven't been blowing anyone out. I can't see the Lakers being up for a game against the lowly Wizards. The Lakers will win, but they won't cover the spread.

Washington comes into the game with a 6-16 overall record but there is optimism in DC these days with first overall pick John Wall showing why he was such a coveted player coming out of Kentucky. Wall is challenging Blake Griffin for Rookie of the Year consideration averaging 16.7 points per game along with just under 9 assists per game. Veteran guard Kirk Hinrich has formed a dynamic backcourt with Wall chipping in with 10.7 points per game. The former face of the franchise Gilbert Arenas has adjusted smoothly to his new 6^th man role averaging 17.5 points per game. The future is bright for this young Wizards team.

The Lakers come into tonight’s game 17-7 overall and are quietly doing what they always do, win. Led once again by guard Kobe Bryant who is second in the NBA in scoring averaging 26.7 points per game. Bryant’s perfect compliment is power forward Pau Gasol. Gasol continues to show his importance to LA averaging 19.6 points per game while pulling down over 11 rebounds a night. Add in forward Lamar Odom’s 15.8 points per game and 10 rebounds off the bench and LA is once again set to make another run into June.

This game has all the makings to go over 205 with Washington unable to make many stops on the defensive side. Washington’s games have gone over the mark in the nine out of their last eleven games. These two teams flew by the number on December 7^th with LA winning 115-108. I can see the home Wizards getting the backdoor cover but this game is going over with ease.

OVER 202