Perry's Perspective NBA preview
from
BetWWTS.com
Nov 9
Kobe leads Lakers to quick start
After a year of sputtering among the also-rans, the L.A. Lakers are off to a running start.
Leading the way has been Kobe Bryant, who looks like he has ended his feud with coach Phil Jackson, who spent the past year in purgatory.
While the engine of success may once again be revving up in LA, the obvious part missing from the old championship jalopy is Diesel. But don?t expect him to return anytime soon.
Without the big man, the Lakers will be hard-pressed to take back the title this year - we currently have them listed as a longshot at +3500 to win it all.
Yet, let?s not forget that Bryant is a bonafide superstar, and if he once again buys in to the Zen Master?s plan, the Lakers could be a solid bet to make some serious noise in the playoffs.
Of course, the playoffs are still eons away. In the meantime, it will be interesting to watch how the new Lake Show performs.
Bryant has been on fire to begin the season leading the Lakers to a 2-1 record (2-1 against the spread) while averaging 36.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game. The outstanding play earned him the Western Conference Player of the Week honors.
Both of the Lakers? wins came against the Denver Nuggets, the first coming in a 99-97 overtime victory in their season-opener on the road. The second came Sunday night at the Staples Center.
Bryant, who netted 37 points in the 112-92 win, wasn?t the only Laker who impressed. C Chris Mihm had 20 points and a game-high 13 boards, while F Lamar Odom chipped in 20 points as well.
The Lakers? first loss came to Phoenix at home last Thursday, 122-112. Bryant had 39 points in that game, Odom had 16 boards.
Of note, the Lakers? big off-season acquisition, 6-11 F-C Kwame Brown, a former No. 1 overall draft pick (Washington, 2001), has started off slow with his new club averaging just 6.3 points.
LA?s first significant test of the season started this week when they embarked on a four-game road trip, which began Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Tonight, they visit Minnesota to take on Kevin Garnett and the T-Wolves (8 p.m. ET, KCAL/Fox Sports North).
After stopping in Minnesota, the Lakers travel to Philadelphia on Friday, then Memphis next Monday before heading home.
Like the Lakers, the Timberwolves are coming off a disappointing campaign where they failed to make the playoffs.
It was only two years ago that Minnesota recorded the best record in the Western Conference and came within two games of advancing to the final.
Most of the players from that team returned to play last season, but the results were drastically different. That has meant significant changes in Minny.
Head coach Flip Saunders was tossed last February by Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale, and veterans Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell were unloaded in the off-season.
Left to pick up the pieces and build around K.G. is new coach Dwane Casey, who joins the Wolves after 11 seasons as an assistant in Seattle.
Minnesota has started this season 2-2 straight up (2-2 ATS), and is 2-0 at the Target Center.
Garnett, now in his 11th season, has been his usual self so far, leading the team in scoring in all four games, assists in three and rebounds in two.
Other notable games:
Clippers at Wizards (7 p.m. ET, KTLA/Comcast Sports Baltimore)
You know it?s early in the season when?the Washington Wizards and the LA Clippers lead their respective divisions.
The Wizards are unbeaten at 3-0 (2-1 ATS) and sit atop the Southeast; the Clippers are 3-1 (2-2 ATS) and lead the Pacific.
Defense has been a big component for both of these teams so far. Look for a low total in this game.
Miami at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
One O?Neal is broke, the other O?Neal is money.
For Miami, Shaquille O?Neal is on the injured list and nursing a sprained right ankle. He could miss two to four weeks.
For Indiana, Jermaine O?Neal has led his team in both points and rebounds in the team?s first three games.
Bad boy Ron Artest has also looked solid in his return after his infamous suspension averaging 17.7 points.
The Pacers are 2-1 SU and ATS; the re-tooled Heat are 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS.
from
BetWWTS.com
Nov 9
Kobe leads Lakers to quick start
After a year of sputtering among the also-rans, the L.A. Lakers are off to a running start.
Leading the way has been Kobe Bryant, who looks like he has ended his feud with coach Phil Jackson, who spent the past year in purgatory.
While the engine of success may once again be revving up in LA, the obvious part missing from the old championship jalopy is Diesel. But don?t expect him to return anytime soon.
Without the big man, the Lakers will be hard-pressed to take back the title this year - we currently have them listed as a longshot at +3500 to win it all.
Yet, let?s not forget that Bryant is a bonafide superstar, and if he once again buys in to the Zen Master?s plan, the Lakers could be a solid bet to make some serious noise in the playoffs.
Of course, the playoffs are still eons away. In the meantime, it will be interesting to watch how the new Lake Show performs.
Bryant has been on fire to begin the season leading the Lakers to a 2-1 record (2-1 against the spread) while averaging 36.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game. The outstanding play earned him the Western Conference Player of the Week honors.
Both of the Lakers? wins came against the Denver Nuggets, the first coming in a 99-97 overtime victory in their season-opener on the road. The second came Sunday night at the Staples Center.
Bryant, who netted 37 points in the 112-92 win, wasn?t the only Laker who impressed. C Chris Mihm had 20 points and a game-high 13 boards, while F Lamar Odom chipped in 20 points as well.
The Lakers? first loss came to Phoenix at home last Thursday, 122-112. Bryant had 39 points in that game, Odom had 16 boards.
Of note, the Lakers? big off-season acquisition, 6-11 F-C Kwame Brown, a former No. 1 overall draft pick (Washington, 2001), has started off slow with his new club averaging just 6.3 points.
LA?s first significant test of the season started this week when they embarked on a four-game road trip, which began Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Tonight, they visit Minnesota to take on Kevin Garnett and the T-Wolves (8 p.m. ET, KCAL/Fox Sports North).
After stopping in Minnesota, the Lakers travel to Philadelphia on Friday, then Memphis next Monday before heading home.
Like the Lakers, the Timberwolves are coming off a disappointing campaign where they failed to make the playoffs.
It was only two years ago that Minnesota recorded the best record in the Western Conference and came within two games of advancing to the final.
Most of the players from that team returned to play last season, but the results were drastically different. That has meant significant changes in Minny.
Head coach Flip Saunders was tossed last February by Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale, and veterans Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell were unloaded in the off-season.
Left to pick up the pieces and build around K.G. is new coach Dwane Casey, who joins the Wolves after 11 seasons as an assistant in Seattle.
Minnesota has started this season 2-2 straight up (2-2 ATS), and is 2-0 at the Target Center.
Garnett, now in his 11th season, has been his usual self so far, leading the team in scoring in all four games, assists in three and rebounds in two.
Other notable games:
Clippers at Wizards (7 p.m. ET, KTLA/Comcast Sports Baltimore)
You know it?s early in the season when?the Washington Wizards and the LA Clippers lead their respective divisions.
The Wizards are unbeaten at 3-0 (2-1 ATS) and sit atop the Southeast; the Clippers are 3-1 (2-2 ATS) and lead the Pacific.
Defense has been a big component for both of these teams so far. Look for a low total in this game.
Miami at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
One O?Neal is broke, the other O?Neal is money.
For Miami, Shaquille O?Neal is on the injured list and nursing a sprained right ankle. He could miss two to four weeks.
For Indiana, Jermaine O?Neal has led his team in both points and rebounds in the team?s first three games.
Bad boy Ron Artest has also looked solid in his return after his infamous suspension averaging 17.7 points.
The Pacers are 2-1 SU and ATS; the re-tooled Heat are 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS.
