Before this NBA season started it was the Miami Heat, and not the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, that were the betting favorites to win the title. Gamblers jumped on the opportunity to get the Lakers a little cheaper than in the past, but now it looks as though the odds makers may have been right.
After the first two games of the Western Conference semi-finals, the Lakers are hanging on by a thread in their series with the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas has won the first two games in L.A., and the defending champions must win tonight to avoid a 3-0 fate, a deficit that no team has ever come back from in playoff history.
The Lakers are saying all the right things after their two losses. Kobe Bryant showed no panic in speaking about the deficit, even suggesting that he cannot understand what everyone is worried about. Bryant believes the Lakers can win the two games in Dallas and head back home with the series tied at two.
Odds makers are not that sure. Sports books have installed Dallas as a two point favorite against the Lakers in game three tonight. The total for the game is 188, and L.A. will be without their starting forward, Ron Artest. The Lakers defensive specialist was ejected from game two in the closing seconds when he picked up his second technical foul.
Over in the East, the Hawks and Bulls will play game three of their series as well tonight. Chicago was able to shake off a game one loss and even the series at one heading back to Atlanta. The Hawks are three point underdogs at home this evening, despite playing more consistent basketball than Chicago so far in the playoffs. The total for this game is 178.
The other two series' will resume on Saturday. Boston will head home as three point favorites against Miami. The Celtics are in a similar 0-2 hole to the one the Lakers find themselves in, but Boston will have the next two games in their series on their home court.
Oklahoma City will be in Memphis for the first time this post season on Saturday. The Thunder are three point underdogs for game three in a series that is tied at one.
May 6, 2011
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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