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Lakers vs. Trailblazers NBA Hoops Previews (Mar. 9th)

The push for the Los Angeles Lakers 15th World Championship begins Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers…

NBA: LAKERS TITLE PUSH BEGINS

The push for the Los Angeles Lakers 15th World Championship begins Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

This is no ordinary season for the Lakers, its championship or bust after getting smoked by the Celtics in the NBA Finals last year.And with Los Angeles seeming to be the best team in the NBA with just over five weeks to go in the regular season, the pressure is on.

Los Angeles is beginning a tough three-game road trip at Portland at 10 pm ET Monday night. You can get all the latest odds here for this great game and don’t forget our $20.00 Free Play for New Mobile bettors.

The Lakers are 20-8 straight-up on the road and 16-13 ATS but they are just 3-3 straight-up and 2-4 ATS in their last six. The three outright losses were to potential Western Conference playoffs teams, Phoenix, Denver and Utah.

L.A. needs to come out with a statement on Monday against another playoff team, Portland. The Blazers are one of the best home teams in the NBA straight-up as well as ATS, which makes this an interesting matchup.

Looking at the bigger picture for Kobe Bryant’s squad, the Lakers are the heavy favorite to win the West Conference at 1:2 odds. San Antonio (4:1) and Utah (7:1) are the only others teams under 10:1, but don’t discount Houston’s (12:1) chances. The Rockets are playing like an invigorated team without the injured Tracy McGrady.

Looking at the updated odds-to-win the NBA title, Los Angeles is the favorite at 2:1. Boston (5:2) is still favored over Cleveland (11:4) even though it’s the Cavs who appear to have the inside track on home court advantage in the East Conference.

And while most pundits think the Lakers can win the West without center Andrew Bynum, the NBA title is another matter. The big man is expected back towards the end of the regular season and it will take some time to get him integrated back into the starting lineup and Lamar Odom back on the bench.

Odom has played much better as a starter, but their chances of winning the title are still better with a healthy Bynum and with the versatile Odom as the 6th man.

Another bet being heavily wagered on by Lakers fans is the NBA Season MVP. Kobe Bryant won the award last year and he is at 1:1 this season. Cleveland’s LeBron James continues to be a heavy favorite at 1:4 but Miami’s Dwyane Wade provides better value than either of them at 10:1 odds.

Like the Lakers to win at Portland or even the NBA Championship?  Bet on it at Sportsbook.com.

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!"