Categories
NBA

NBA Betting – Wizards vs. Lakers (Jan. 22)

Free pick and preview plus NBA betting odds and basketball lines for the matchup featuring the Washington Wizards and the LA Lakers from Los Angeles, California…

Washington at Los Angeles – Wizards Need Some Magic

The Washington Wizards (9-32 SU, 17-24 ATS, 16-23-2 O/U) have won two of their last three games, including Wednesday’s high-scoring 110-107 win over the Sacramento Kings. The Los Angeles Lakers (33-8 SU, 19-22 ATS, 24-17 O/U) have won two straight following a modest two-game slide and dominated their same-city rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, from start to finish on Wednesday en route to a 108-97 win.

Tonight, both teams will be trying to pick up an SU and ATS victory in the BetUS Sportsbook when they battle at STAPLES Center.

The Wizards were badly outplayed in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 37-21 in the period, but managed to hold on for a narrow victory over the Kings.

Washington covered the spread for NBA sports betting enthusiasts everywhere as a 2.5-point road underdog while the total score played Over the posted O/U total of 207.5.

“We continue to fight,” said forward Antawn Jamison, who had 33 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards, who held on after seeing their 19-point fourth-quarter lead cut to one with 3.9 seconds left. “You don’t want to go into L.A. with two (straight) losses.”

All-star forward Antawn Jamison led the way with a game-high 33 points and fellow all-star forward Caron Butler added 32 points with six rebounds and five assists in the win.

“This is our team, there is no help coming,” Butler said. “We have a lot of young guys playing right now and I’m getting more and more of a feeling of what they like to do out there.”

The Lakers took over their contest in the third quarter to record their victory despite failing to cover the 16-point spread in the BetUS Sportsbook, while the combined score made it Over the posted O/U total of 203.5.

Young center Andrew Bynum had a monster game for the Lakers tossing in a game-high 42 points while pulling down 15 rebounds for a double-double while superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant posted a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

“We’re in a good rhythm of how teams are playing against me, how they’re matching up against me,” said Bryant, who has recorded 45 assists over his last four games – the most in any four-game stretch in his career.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks:

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington’s last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Washington’s last 15 games when playing LA Lakers
Washington is 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games when playing LA Lakers
Washington is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 18-2 SU in their last 20 games at home
LA Lakers are 12-2 SU in their last 14 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
LA Lakers are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games

NBA Odds

Washington Wizards +14½ -110
Los Angeles Lakers -14½ -110

Over 207½ -110
Under 207½ -110

Analysis: While the Los Angeles Lakers are going to undoubtedly win this contest tonight, I don’t like the high point spread one iota and think the Wizards – even as mediocre as they are this season – are going to find some sort of way to keep it close enough to cover the spread.

I also like the Over a lot tonight as Washington plays almost no defense at all, but can score the ball with almost any team in the league.

I say take the Wizards to move to 3-1 ATS in their last four with a big cover tonight.

NBA Free Picks: Washington +14½ Points/Over 207 Total Points

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"