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L.A. Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks Gambling & NBA Handicapping Prediction

Los Angeles vs Atlanta NBA Picks

Kobe Bryant is back but the Lakers have only won one of the 4 games since his return. It was the last one so maybe they are getting used to having him back in the lineup, though I doubt it because he has looked pretty off playing more of a distributor role than scorer. [ad-4468020]

Los Angeles Lakers (11-12) vs. Atlanta Hawks (12-12)
Monday December 16
Philips Arena – Atlanta, GA
7:30PM
Moneyline: No ML currently posted
Spread: Atlanta -5
O/U: 204.5

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Los Angeles

Regardless of the role it is still better to have in the lineup than not though I am not expecting the team to suddenly take off. They are just not very good.

Kobe at the point makes some sense for L.A. because Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake are all out with injuries right now. He has been averaging 7 assists per game since his return but giving up the ball really plays against cast for Kobe so I don’t see them continuing with that as he gets his legs underneath him.

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It will definitely be a struggle for guys like Jodie Meeks and Nick Young who will probably get an earful for not returning the ball too.

Despite their overall mediocre play the Lakers have been profitable against the number at 13-9-1. On the road they are just 6-5 but now that Kobe is back they should start to play better away from Staples.
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Even with a healthy Kobe they have not been good in Atlanta though, 1-4 ATS the last 5 at Philips Arena. I would stay away from them in this one.

Atlanta

The Hawks are pretty mediocre but their 12-12 record puts them in second place behind Miami in the Southeast Division. They are coming off a loss on the road to New York and haven’t covered in any of their last three contests.

This team has turned over its roster significantly but the results are exactly the same.

They have a chance to get on a run now though with three straight at home, all against sub .500 teams from the Western Conference.

I like Al Horford a lot because he plays big and fights all night long but if he is your most productive player then you have problems. He and Paul Millsap form a very productive duo inside but neither has the ability to go off and dominate a team into submission.

Surrounding them you are only going to go so far with a backcourt of Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver, who has been lights out this season, but still – he should really be a role player.

Atlanta has some great trend data in support of them for this one. The one I like best is that they are 8-3 ATS after a SU loss showing that this club usually exceeds expectations when the oddsmakers get down on them.

I also like that they are 5-2 ATS against the Western Conference because they will be playing them a lot this week.

Spread Pick: Atlanta -5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Atlanta 100 – Los Angeles 92

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.