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NBA: Lakers a Potential Bad Bet in this Situation (10:30 PM ET, FSN)

Confidence is funny thing in basketball; it can disappear without notice for a star player and reappear, banking in an off-target three-point shot from the wing. The Los Angeles Lakers are flowing with confidence on a four game win streak, after thrashing

2009-01-27

Confidence is funny thing in basketball; it can disappear without notice for a star player and reappear, banking in an off-target three-point shot from the wing. The Los Angeles Lakers are flowing with confidence on a four game win streak, after thrashing San Antonio 99-85 as 7.5-point favorites. The contest was so lopsided, Kobe Bryant only got off the bench in the fourth quarter for timeouts. It was the Lakers 14th triumph in last 17 games (10-7 ATS) and they have everyone as healthy as they have been all season with Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom and Sasha Vujacic all back to add incredible depth.

Charlotte (18-26, 27-17 ATS) has been playing with a great deal of confidence, winning five of seven and giving NBA bettors a sense of invincibility with seven straight covers. The fragile nature of confidence can undermine a weaker team in a hurry when circumstances arise. The Bobcats opened a five game road trip in Indiana and lost 98-93 as 5.5-point underdogs. Though Charlotte ultimately covered the spread, coach Larry Brown was not impressed with his squad.
“We didn’t match their energy early and we got killed on the boards in the first half,” coach Brown said. “When you’re on the road and you give a team a jump-start like that, it’s pretty tough to overcome.” He was referring to his club allowing 54 points in the first half to the Pacers and trailing by 14 points at the half. For the game, Charlotte was out-rebounded by 16. Despite the loss, the Bobcats are still 17-8 ATS after playing two consecutive games as an underdog this season.
The Lakers (35-8, 21-22 ATS) are 5-2 ATS off a double digit win in last seven tries and 26-13 ATS in home games after covering two of their last three against the spread. Sportsbook.com has Los Angeles as 11-point favorites with a total of 196. Phil Jackson team is not always interested in games just like this. The Lakers are 28-4 when favored by 7.5 or more points this season, but a cringing 12-20 ATS. They have the third best home record in the NBA at 22-3, yet are a less than sterling 13-13 ATS.

Charlotte has been dynamite on the road for sports bettors despite only five wins in 18 contests. The Bobcats are 12-6 ATS as visitors and 22-12 as underdogs.

Whichever way one might feel about what is the correct side, the total is a potential match for parlay. L.A. is 16-6 OVER as a favorite of 10 or more points this season. If Charlotte has the look catching this many points, they are 22-11 UNDER as an underdog this season, with total maxing out at just over 194.

The Lakers have been a disinterested participant against Charlotte with a 4-4 record all-time and just two covers. Los Angeles will be embarking on a six-game road after this contest, thus will they want to enjoy one more home game or being thinking about what lies ahead? All questions will be answered starting at 10:30 Eastern and the more confident and interested team will cover the spread.

StatFox Power Line – Lakers by 10

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