Bet On NBA – New Orleans vs. L.A. Lakers, Miami, Utah Best Bets

The Los Angeles Lakers get no reprieve on Wednesday night after losing to the San Antonio Spurs 82 to 97 as 3 ½ point dogs in the NBA sportsbook on Tuesday night. L.A. now travels to New Orleans to take on the Hornets on Wednesday.

Miami, after failing to cover an 8 ½ point spread by a measly ½ a point in a 98 to 106 victory over New York on Tuesday, travel to Houston to take on the Rockets. Utah takes on the L.A. Clippers at the Staples Center.

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Dec. 29th – NBA Games

Los Angeles Lakers (21-10) at New Orleans Hornets (18-13)

Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana

When: 8:00 pm EST

NBA Betting Odds: New Orleans +3

Analysis: The Lakers are 1 and 4 against the basketball betting spread in the last 5 meetings with New Orleans. That doesn’t bode well for them coming off of one of their worst outings of the season. L.A. is struggling, no doubt, and now take on a New Orleans squad that’s giving up only 92.4 points per game, 3rd in the NBA.

The Hornets have won 4 straight at home including beating the Utah Jazz 100 to 71 as 4-point dogs and Atlanta 93 to 86 as 3 ½ point faves. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row, 79 to 98 to Milwaukee, 80 to 96 to Miami and 82 to 97 to the Spurs.

They haven’t scored more than 82 points in 3 straight games. I just don’t feel that they’re ready to get out of their funk down in groovy town N’Awlins on Wednesday.

Miami Heat (24-9) at Houston Rockets (15-15)

Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

When: 8:30 pm EST

NBA Betting Odds: Miami -5

Analysis: For some NBA betting handicappers, the Heat did cover on Tuesday night versus the New York Knicks. In any case, Miami should have no problems versus the Rockets on Wednesday night. 79% of hoops handicappers believe that the Heat will cover the spread versus Houston.

I have to agree given the fact that Miami has covered in 8 out of their last 9 road games and are allowing teams to shoot 41.3%, tops in the NBA, from the field against them. Houston has won 5 games in a row and is 4 and 1 ATS in that span. Don’t get excited about the Rockets’ chances tonight, however.

They beat Memphis, Sacramento, Golden State, the L.A. Clippers and Washington in that 5 games stretch.

Utah Jazz (21-10) at L.A. Clippers (10-22)

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

When: 10:30 pm EST

NBA Betting Odds: Utah -2 ½

Analysis: I understand that the Clippers are playing much better but I still can’t back them in the sports betting book over the Jazz in this matchup. LAC has gone 4-1-1 against the spread in their last 6 games. They have scored 100 points or more in 5 out of their last 6.

Utah, though, is 8 and 2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these two and the Jazz is 5 and 1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. Blake Griffin is going to be very effective for the Clippers in the paint, but guard Eric Gordon may have trouble getting to his 23.9 average when facing the terrific Deron Williams in the backcourt.

Williams, Utah’s point-guard, is averaging 22.6 points and 9.5 assists per game. He’s the reason I like the Jazz to cover in this contest on Wednesday night.

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