Wednesday, January 20, 2010

TNT Double-Header Preview

Los Angeles Lakers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Super Bowl Odds: Cavaliers -3.5 

The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to match wits on Thursday night and it will be the second time this year that we see a nationally televised Kobe Bryant versus LeBron James matchup.

The Cavs easily handled the Lakers in the first meeting, winning 102-87 and the difference in that contest was their defense. They held the Lakers to just 36% shooting from the field and the frontcourt of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom combined for just 21 points.

It's hard to see things playing out any differently as the Cavaliers won the first time at the Staples Center in Los Angeles whereas this contest will take place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cavs are much better at home than they are away and they should be able to impose their will for a second time this season.

Keep in mind that Lakers start Kobe Bryant is dealing with finger and back injuries that are hampering him a little bit. That could be enough to make a difference in this game.

Buzz luck pick: Cavaliers -3.5

Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets

US Sportsbook Review Odds: Nuggets -10 

Everything seemed to be looking up for the Los Angeles Clippers just over a week ago but as is typical in Clipperland, they are back to being the cursed ones.

The Clippers had won four straight and were on the upswing while expecting the return of No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin. But then they blew a 16-point lead in Memphis in an awkward contest with a delay because of an evacuation, and then the Clippers found out that Griffin will actually be out for the rest of the season. And then the Clippers went on to lose four straight games.

Now the Clippers are in a slump and they have to regain their confidence quickly as they head to the Pepsi Center on Thursday night.

The Nuggets also experienced a similar slump when they had a number of injuries to stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, but they are back in business now. They have won five of their last seven games and scored 100 points or more in five of those contests as well.

On the road, it will be tough for the Clippers to keep pace with the high-flying Nuggets.

NFL Picks: Nuggets -10

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