Snipes NBA Friday - the day has arrived

[Snipes]

Hello everyone, lot of games on the board tonight. I've been a little buys so I haven't been able to look at too many of them. Anyways, the game I said I had been waiting for a week ago is here. Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers. Ahh yes, the mighty Rose Garden curse. The arena where the Blazers make the Lakers look like a D league team. Yesterday I saw on pinnacle that the line was out at -1 Lakers. When I saw this I was once again upset. First Vegas screws me by scaring me off the Lakers by putting them at -8.5 against the Nuggets. THen, they out Lakers at -1 against a team they haven't beaten on the road the last 9 times. They really don't want me to go with my boys. Whatever though, I Got them yesterday by jumping on the Lakers half time spread, pushing my record to 4-0 this week, which is huge for me since they have all been big plays.

Anyways...onto tonight.

Nice to see the Lakers as underdogs today at +1.5. I've been wanting to take the Lakers for this game for many reasons. I'll start off with the fact that the reason Portland kicks the Laker's ass at the Rose Garden is because of the intensity. That's all there is to it. The whole city shows up for this game, and they mark it on the calender before the season starts. Let me explain why they do this: In 2000, the first year of the Lakers dynasty, the Lakers beat the Blazers in 7 game series. The Blazers were robbed as they were up 15 going into the 4th of game 7. Lakers came back and just absolutely smashed them and started their road to the dynasty. Even a couple years after that, they would destroy Portland each and every time. Suddenly, Portland and it's fans decided it was time to get some revenge. So what they did was, they started trying their ass off for home games. The whole city would come out in BEAT LA t-shirts, and the players would be ready. The Lakers had a great team, yet they had trouble getting by Portland who at this time did not possess a good team at all. The last time the Lakers won at the Rose Garden, it was when Malone and payton were on the Lakers. Kobe had to tie the game and send it to OT with a miracle 3, and then had to win it with another miracle 3. In essence, it basically takes miracles for the Lakers to win at the Rose Garden.

****Don't have to read what I posted above, it is just some history****

The first meeting this year at the rose garden, the Blazers just spanked the Lakers silly. It wasn't even funny. I once again saw the BEAT LA T-shirts, the intensity, the noise, it was great to see. Portland showed up as if it was the finals. The Lakers on the other hand came in thinking they would finally get by Portland because they are better this year. Sadly, reality kicked in and Portland spanked them....

65% of the public on the Lakers, which really makes no sense to me. I mean, I think they are on the Lakers for the wrong reasons. I don't think many people realize how HARD it is to beat Portland for the Lakers at the Rose Garden...

However today is different. The Lakers this year have shown up for every BIG GAME. Every nationally televised game, and every game that is supposed to be a "test". They spanked Cleveland twice, and Boston twice. Then they swept the Rockets, beat Spurs, and etc etc. They lost in Utah, and lost to the Spurs in San An due to a Roger Mason miracle, but that's about it. They also had a loss in Denver, but really they didn't even show up for that game.

The Lakers are ready for this one. Bynum is back and they know what's coming. When Bynum was being interviewed yesterday, before the interviewer even asked, he mentioned the Portland game. Kobe at the end of the game yesterday on TNT also explained how it's a huge game and test for them. That's all I care for...the fact that the Lakers know it's a big game and show up with the same intensity, or at least close to it.

Phil Jackson won't be making the trip so Rambis will be coaching. That's not a problem because Jackson doesn't coach much in game anyways. He's not an X's and O's guy. Rambis also is the Defensive coordinator so to speak for this team so it might work out well. Coaching is not the issue.

Now onto the match ups...

The Lakers got killed last time in Portland because Pryzbilla decided to have a career night. HE was just too tough for Gasol, and him and Lamarcus had a field day. Too bad that won't be happening because Bynum is back. HE will own Pryz, and it frees up Gasol to guard a soft Aldridge instead of a Power big man. Ariza is now starting instead of Luke Walton (thank god), so he will most likely guard Roy. People are probably thinking, well Roy spanked the Lakers last time around. Well yes, it's true, but that's because LUKE WALTON was guarding him. A slow, 6'8 SF was on a quick SG. For god sake, what do you expect. Anyways Ariza is our best D man and he will be up against Roy, Outlaw and etc. I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe D's up Roy, and everyone knows when Kobe puts his mind to it, he's one of the best defender's in the L. Lakers are going to pound the ball inside. GUARANTEED. I will put all my money on it. Gasol and Bynum are going to have to come up huge. I think they easily can because Bynum had 16 and 7 yesterday without even trying. The kid's got game, and most importantly size.

The advantage I give to the Blazers is their PG play and their bench. Our bench has been struggling, but looked good yesterday with Odom back on leading them. So Blazers only have a SLIGHT advantage. People don't realize how important Bynum is. Not only does he add size, better defense and scoring, he allows Odom to play with the 2nd unit.

Big game for both teams, but the curse ends today.

Is this a homer bet? Probably. Even if I think it isn't I'm sure it is. But I don't bet for the Lakers often, and when I do it's when I'm confident. I've only bet on the Lakers a few times this year and they have come through for me. I've also enjoyed my share of betting against them earlier when they used to get huge spreads against crappier teams. Either way..this pick might be a little biased..but I have some work and insight as to why I'm taking it so maybe it isn't completely biased.
*15 Los Angeles Lakers +1.5

[Snipes]

Might be adding some more games, such as Atlanta Hawks -5.5 and New Orleans +7. I think they both cover tonight, but I've got more work to do for those games.

[Snipes]

Adding:

4* each

Atlanta Hawks -5.5
New Orleans +7

[IloveBaseball]

GL Snipes! Will tail you on the big one!

[Snipes]

Thanks ILB, hopefully they come through today

[goterps74]

GL Snipes

[Snipes]

Amazing..refs call a 4point play for Granger, and right after that they call another foul on Atlanta beyond the 3pt line in the act of shooting...weird..

[eberg586]

fcuking ridiuclous...pissed me off so bad. god i am so angry with that one...it was a lock. we had it

[Snipes]

Bibby had an open chance in transition to put the game away but he fumbled it...and no foul was called, lmao. Jeez, NBA is so sketchy.

[eberg586]

sketchy?


no fixed. rigged. period. no if's ands or buts about it

[eberg586]

snipes lakers playing some good basketball right now.

[Snipes]

Originally Posted by eberg586

snipes lakers playing some good basketball right now.

Yeah not bad, I have confidence in them to close out.

A little annoyed with the Hawks losing by a bucket and then the Hornets losing by a bucket. Tough losses to swallow. Good thing I kept them small plays relative to the big one. Hopefully Lakers come through and I make a good chunk of profit.

[LAyZbOi]

Lets hope the Lakers can get this one in the final minutes

[Snipes]

This one will sting for a bit..overall made lots of profit this week...but hurts to see my team lose once AGAIN in Portland. Total choke, even Kobe choked badly in the end. Sorry guys.