Ray “The Razor” Monohan – Last Updated on November 21, 2022 2:36 pm
Lakers vs. Suns Preview + Free Pick Feb 20th, 2008
By: Sportsbook.com Staff
CappersPicks.com NBA Handicapping
Bovada – NBA Basketball Spreads – Crunch the numbers and get a daily fix of sports trends and information with up-to-date betting lines that promise to keep both the sports betting enthusiast and the novice alike, in the game. Get the latest odds, picks and analysis from Our resident handicappers and industry insiders. With so much insight and amazing daily betting tips, sports betting enthusiasts are sure to get the winning edge.
NBA News NBA Previews NBA Sportsbooks
NBA: Action heating up in Phoenix
Shaquille O’Neal’s first game in Phoenix is exciting enough. Having that matchup come against Kobe & the Lakers is off the charts. Betting action figures to be heavy on this game, so follow the Betting Trends page all day for continuous updates.
And don’t forget to sign up for our Beat the House promotion and play for this week’s $500.00 cash prize. The week just started so it’s the perfect time to start collecting points. Every correct wager of $20.00 or more on the NCAA or NBA earns you a point. Collect the most points and win.
It’s not every day that rivals fighting for a division title or the best record in the conference meet. Throw in trades by each team to enhance there position in the standings and you’ve got the makings of a donnybrook of activity. Fans of the Phoenix Suns are anxious to see if O’Neal can lead them to NBA finals and they are likely to get their first glimpse tonight.
The much anticipated debut of the Big Fella has the Valley of the Sun abuzz. O’Neal’s first practice left him gassed, not only because how long he had been out, but because of the intensity and running.
“No wonder they only practice an hour, man they (the Suns) run a lot.” O’Neal said.
Advertisement
He better get used to it, along with the fact that, with just 29 games remaining, there will not be many nights off playing in the Western Conference.
How effective Shaq can really be after missing so much time with bad hip comes into question, but the chance to go up against Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant has to add inspiration and desire.
How all these pieces fit together and how quickly, will be critical for Coach Mike D’Antoni. Phoenix owns the second best record in the West, trailing New Orleans by just a game, but any prolonged losing streak of three or more games and they could be trying to hang on to seventh or eight seed in no time.
The Suns, 20-6 at home with 10-15-1 ATS record, are often overvalued as the defense allows 104 points a game.
The Lakers swung a deal to land Pau Gasol to help fill in for center Andrew Bynum, which suggests they will be only stronger when the improving big man returns.
Los Angeles not only survived, they thrived on their longest road trip of the year with 7-2 straight up and ATS record. The Lakers have the second-best cover rate among road teams at 18-9-1 ATS, winning by 5.2 PPG.
Kobe Bryant is playing with a torn ligament in his right pinky finger and is trying to avoid surgery. If surgery was necessary, he could miss up to six weeks but he knows the Lakers have legit opportunity to make Finals.
“My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest,” Bryant said in a statement. “I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer’s Olympic Games. But this is an injury that myself and the Lakers’ medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis.”
On the presumption that Shaq is ready to play, Phoenix should be a small favorite. The Suns and the crowd will be fired up. Steve Nash and company are 3-0 this season with three or more days off, however are 0-5-1 ATS in last six games. The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in last eight outings with zero rest.
ESPN will broadcast anticipated contest starting at 9pm ET with the Lakers 7-5 ATS at US Airways Arena, despite just two outright wins.
Sportsbook.com – StatFox Take – Phoenix by 1
Don’t forget our exciting NBA promotions like ‘Beat the House’ where you can win great prizes like a $500 weekly cash bonus and a $21,000.00 Grand Prize.
Visit Sportsbook.com for more analysis and all of your NBA Hoops Odds!
Everytime you make a deposit into your Sportsbook.com account you can earn free cash or great prizes. See below for our current list of bonuses and promotions. Join Sportsbook.com -where Everybody Bets- and we will add a FREE 10% BONUS to your initial deposit. Whatever your deposit amount, we’ll give you an extra 10% to play with. Sign up and make your deposit today.
Powered By: Sportsbook.com NBA Betting
Guaranteed Winners or your money back and Free Picks in the NFL football, NBA basketball, MLB baseball, NCAA college football and basketball, Nascar Racing, Arena Football nhl hockey leagues and more. We are part of the internets Premier Sports Handicappers League with full documentation of all members on this sports betting news and info portal. Free Membership, Join Today and start Winning! Send cappers picks an e-mail and we’ll try to answer your question as soon as possible. Because of the large volume of mail cappers picks gets, it may take a couple of days to get a response. Please trust us to know cappers picks will make the right choice for your sports handicapping and sports betting needs and we pride ourselves on our customer service in the sports handicapping industry. The team here at cappers picks encourages you to make educated decisions for offshore and internet sportsbooks to bet with, so we do the hard work for you. CappersPicks.com online sports betting staff are the only website guru’s you’ll need for your sport book lines, reviews of sports betting sites, sports predictions, and sports picks. We have complete confidence in the sports handicappers we promote and the sportsbooks listed on this website – they all offer fair betting lines, fast payouts and top notch customer service. We want to keep you involved all year long with sports gambling, from NHL hockey, to NBA basketball, and right into european soccer season, plus Nascar, Arena Football, NFL football and NCAA and college football betting. Cheer on your favorite teams.