Monday, January 19, 2009

Monday NBA: Cavaliers (31-7) at Lakers (31-8)


Can you say NBA Finals preview? While teams like the Celtics, Magic and Spurs might argue different, it sure is beginning to look like LeBron’s and Kobe’s Lakers are the class of the NBA, and they meet in a national television tilt on Monday night.

The host are 5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com.

Certainly the NBA’s MVP likely will come from this game. is averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. is averaging 27.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists. James won last season’s scoring title. Bryant won it each of the two previous years and is the reigning league MVP. Kobe says LeBron is the MVP of this season as of now.

“I’m a big fan of his, obviously,” Bryant said. “I just think the world of him. Playing with him this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he’s about, I just think he’s terrific.”

Both teams are pretty nicked up, with the (+180 on WagerWeb.com) not having guard Delonte West or center Zyrdunas Ilgauskas. Meanwhile, the won’t have guard Jordan Farmar but will get back Luke Walton. He practiced Sunday and said there was no pain in a sore right foot that had sidelined him for eight consecutive games. He is not expected to start but will play. Walton is averaging 3.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists, but he does a lot of the little things for L.A.

The have lost two of their last three road games, both against sub-.500 teams. The have lost two straight, both in games that came down to the wire, 112-111 at San Antonio and 109-103 at home to Orlando. Kobe had 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Magic loss but missed two jumpers in the waning moments.

“We’ve got to back it up and stop this bleeding right now,” coach Phil Jackson said.

Cleveland has won five straight games over the . In their last meeting on Jan. 27, Cleveland won 98-95 at Los Angeles, behind James’ 41 points and nine rebounds. James is averaging 37.3 points in his last three games versus the . Kobe averaged 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the two games vs. Cleveland last year, shooting 41.9 percent from the floor.

WagerWeb.com Game Trends

* Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Cavaliers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Western Conference.
* Cavaliers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Cavaliers are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
* Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
* Cavaliers are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 Monday games.
* Cavaliers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
* Cavaliers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.
* Cavaliers are 37-14 ATS in their last 51 games overall.
* Cavaliers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
* Cavaliers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games following a ATS win.
* Cavaliers are 32-14-1 ATS in their last 47 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Cavaliers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 vs. NBA Pacific.
* Cavaliers are 39-19 ATS in their last 58 games as a road underdog.
* Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
* Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.
* are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
* are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games following a S.U. loss.
* are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference.
* are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.
* are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
* are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
* are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss.
* are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Central.
* are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
* are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite.

NBA Betting at WagerWeb.com

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