NBA Free Picks: Houston-Portland, Utah-LA Lakers Game 2

The first weekend of NBA playoff betting featured a few exciting road-team upset victories, while the two biggest sportsbook favorites cruised. What will Tuesday's NBA betting action bring to the Jazz vs Lakers odds and the Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds?

Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds - Tuesday, April 21 at 10:00 p.m. ET

One game is hardly enough to make a team hit the panic button, but Portland has to be at least a bit nervous about the Blazers odds after the drubbing it took in Game 1. The key to the game was balance; the Rockets had four players score 17 or more points, led by Aaron Brooks' breakout 27-point, seven-assist effort. Brandon Roy predictably did what he could in the Rockets vs Blazers line, scoring a team-high 21 for Portland, but none of his teammates scored more than eight points except Greg Oden. NBA betting fans should give the Blazers a mulligan on Game 1, as many of their young players were seeing their first-ever playoff action and may have been jittery. However, going forward, LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw simply must be better to keep Portland in this series.

Despite the loss, Portland was one of NBA betting's best home teams in the regular season, so online betting fans should expect the Blazers to bounce back and triumph at the Rose Garden in Game 2.

Online betting pick: Trail Blazers

Jazz vs Lakers odds - Tuesday, April 21 at 10:30 p.m. ET

The Jazz vs Lakers line rivals the Cavaliers vs Pistons line for the least-exciting, easiest-to-predict matchup in NBA playoff betting. Game 1 went as scripted; the Lakers jumped out to a 22-point halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way. The Jazz were an awful road team in online betting this season and that problem should only be compounded in the playoffs. They're simply not in the same league as the Lakers, even if Deron Williams (17 assists in Game 1) and Carlos Boozer (27 points) are bringing it. Don't be surprised if the Jazz come out firing and jump to an early lead, but the Lakers will still take Game 2. Pick Los Angeles.

Online betting pick: Lakers

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