NBA Playoff Betting – Desperate Jazz Will Step Up
Saturday, May 08, 2010
by BetUS.com
The NBA Western Conference semifinals move from Hollywood to Mormon country, as the Los Angeles Lakers travel to Utah to take on the Jazz for NBA Playoff Betting.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Saturday, May 8th - 8:10 PM ET
At: EnergySolutions Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
TV: ABC
Odds: NBA Playoff Betting Spread: Jazz -4
The Week That Was: Los Angeles Lakers
It’s a good news-bad news situation for coach Phil Jackson’s team. The defending world champions survived a stiff test in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder and have subsequently forged a 2-0 advantage against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals. What could be wrong with the picture in LakerLand? Well, not much as far as this series is concerned, but the seeds of a potential ouster could exist down the road.
The Los Angeles Lakers led by double digits in the first half of each of the first two games against Utah, yet have had to sweat at least a little in the closing minutes. In Game 1, a commanding lead turned into a 93-89 deficit in the final five minutes, but the Lakers’ grit plus the savvy of superstar Kobe Bryant got them to the finish line first in a 104-99 triumph. In Game 2, a 58-46 halftime lead deteriorated to a tenuous 98-94 edge with 5:01 left, but the rebounding and shot blocking of L.A.’s big men carried them to a 111-103 win. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom combined for 44 boards and nine blocks to constantly thwart the Jazz at both ends.
The Week That Was: Utah Jazz
Coach Jerry Sloan knew before this series started that his team would have a markedly uphill battle. The veteran Utah boss – following his team’s elimination of the Denver Nuggets in round one – looked ahead to the Los Angeles Lakers by acknowledging their length and size, and that’s exactly why the Jazz are down by two games heading to Salt Lake City. L.A.’s post players are altering shots on defense, especially when Utah superstar Deron Williams makes a foray to the rim. On offense, the Gasol-Bynum-Odom trio referred to above is snatching lots of offensive rebounds, as is Ron Artest (five offensive boards for the Lakers in Game 2 on Tuesday). Utah has to do one of two things in Game 3: Do a better job of sealing out against the Lakers’ imposing length, or hit more shots to render rebounds irrelevant. Williams needs to shoot more mid-range jumpers or – if he insists on penetrating – earn more foul shots than what he’s been getting so far in this series. Utah’s shooters – C.J. Miles and Kyle Korver in particular – need to knock down three-point shots at home to extend the Lakers’ defense. If Utah can’t score better, it won’t be able to extend this series very long.
Outlook & Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers are heavy favorites in this series, and rightly so. L.A.’s size is too overwhelming, and Utah’s lack of Mehmet Okur – a long-range marksman who could provide better floor spacing for the Jazz’s halfcourt sets – is looming large in the series. The Jazz might get wing Andrei Kirilenko back onto the floor in this series after a multi-week injury, but they’re still operating well below capacity. This game should be close, since Utah will be desperate to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. The home court will definitely help the home team, especially since it should give Deron Williams a pronounced comfort zone. Late in the game, Kobe Bryant should make his fair share of plays, but Williams will have the answer. If L.A. is supposed to win this series in five games, it only makes sense that the Jazz will win Game 3… but barely.
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Playoff Betting Pick: Jazz