TUESDAY APRIL 27, 2010 – Oklahoma Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
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NBA Betting – NBA Betting – Champs Will Edge Out Thunder In Game 5
Team records:
Oklahoma City: 50-32 SU, 48-34 ATS
Los Angeles: 57-25 SU, 34-46-2 ATS
While some Los Angeles Lakers were a little bit worried about their team as it faded down the stretch of the regular season, but now they are straight up concerned as they head home for Game 5 of their first round series against the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers were supposed to have a huge advantage in size on the interior with their two pillars Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but the Lakers have been regularly outrebounded, outhustled and outplayed throughout the series.
The Thunder are very confident at this point. After nearly stealing Game 2 in Los Angeles, they took Game 3 and blew out the Lakers in Game 4.
But they are still a young squad and while they will be a pest again in Game 5, they will come up short.
Game 2 Preview: Thunder @ Lakers
Betting Odds: – Thunder: +6-110
Lakers: -6-110
Total: Over/Under 193 -110
Very quietly, the Thunder have gotten back into this series thanks to the free throw line. In They have had a huge edge from the line in the last two games as they have attempted 82 free throws in the last two games in comparison to the Lakers 40 attempts. In Game 4, the Thunder scored 42 of their 110 points from the charity stripe.
While the officiating has clearly helped them out in Game 3 & 4, don’t expect them to get that many calls in Game 5 on the road. Free throws have helped them play with the lead in the last two contests but look for them to find it a little more difficult in this game as they play from behind once again.
The Thunder have outhustled the Lakers throughout this entire series and the real concern is where is the Lakers mindset at. Is this just a tired team that is happy with its championship from last year or is this still the same old Lakers squad that can flip the switch when they feel like it?
Chances are it is the latter.
Many people remember the Lakers struggles with the Houston Rockets last year – the Yao Ming-less and Tracy McGrady-less Rockets – but this is different. The Thunder had just seven less wins than the Lakers and this team is going to be a force in the West for years to come. They could even be a force this year if the Lakers don’t wake up.
But a few things favor the Lakers in Game 5. Home court advantage, for one, where they were the best in the West. Secondly, the Lakers will get two days rest in between Game 4 and Game 5, which should be more of an advantage for them than Oklahoma City. They are the older team and momentum was with Oklahoma City.
Adding all of it up, this will still be a close game but the Lakers will make enough plays in the fourth quarter to get the win and put the pressure back on the Thunder.
Thunder vs Lakers Free Game 5 NBA Pick: Lakers
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Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
