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Lakers aim to stop Spurs' back-to-back quest |
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Written by Neil Jordan
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008
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 The San Antonio Spurs are the closest thing the NBA currently has to a dynasty, with four titles in a decade, but they have yet to win back-to-back championships during their torrid run. The mission to repeat will continue on Wednesday night at the Staples Center, when the Spurs will visit the Los Angeles Lakers for the first game of their Western Conference final series. BetOnline.com has the Los Angeles Lakers –7 point favorites against the San Antonio Spurs with the total set at 196 points.
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers – 9:00 PM ET
The Spurs were pushed to the limit by a young New Orleans team, but San Antonio's experience paid off with a seven-game victory. Sixth Man of the Year Manu Ginobili was the difference with 21.3 points, as the San Antonio duo of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan played New Orleans counterparts Chris Paul and David West to a draw. When it came down to it, the Spurs were able to hit their shots, which is what a veteran team is supposed to do. However, one has to wonder just how much the Spurs have left in the tank after such a gruelling series.
The Lakers rolled over Utah in six games, and they made their way to the Western Conference finals by utilizing their depth. Nine players averaged at least 10.8 minutes per game, and six players had 8.2 points or more in the series. Kobe Bryant shone brightly, as did Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, but the biggest surprise may have been Derek Fisher, who came back to haunt his former team with 14.2 points while hitting threes at an amazing rate of 64.7%.
The Lakers have a 7-point spread at home for Wednesday's series opener, and these two met four times during the regular season, with each team winning twice while the home team was victorious on each occasion. The match-up in the post between the Spurs' Duncan and Kurt Thomas, and the Lakers' Odom and Gasol, could be the defining duel in this series, as Odom and Gasol's passing ability in the triangle offense can make it difficult to keep up with Los Angeles. The Spurs are probably a bit fatigued by their war with New Orleans, so take the Lakers to grab a 1-0 lead in this highly-anticipated series.
For more props and odds on NBA basketball as we progress through the postseason, as well as a look at our brand-new and revamped Casino, visit BetOnline.com for the most exciting experience in the sports betting industry.
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