NBA Betting Action – Jazz vs Lakers

It took a late fourth quarter run, but the Los Angeles Lakers were able to hold off the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal. Can the Lakers go up 2-0, as you get set to make your Tuesday night basketball bet?

NBA Playoffs Round 2: Game 2

No. 5 Utah Jazz at No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles 1-0 Series Lead (0-1 ATS, Total went OVER in Game 1)

Tuesday, May 4: 10:30 p.m. TNT

NBA Betting Odds: Los Angeles -5 ½, Total Points 199

The Lakers have knocked the Jazz out of the playoffs each of the last two years, and Game 1 looked no different, as Los Angeles opened up an eight point halftime lead, before closing out the Jazz 104-99.

And just like old times, it was superstar Kobe Bryant who led the way. Bryant has been hampered all season long by nagging injuries, to an ankle, knee and most recently his shooting hand. But none of them seemed to have an effect on him in Game 1. Bryant finished with 31 points, on 12 of 19 shooting to lead the Lakers to victory. Center Pau Gasol added 25 points and 12 rebounds.
As for Utah, as easy as it could have been for them to get blown out of Game 1, they showed excellent resiliency, battling back, and even taking a brief fourth quarter lead. Utah is a balanced team that is going to need to rely on scoring from several different places if they are to take Game 2. Deron Williams led this team with 24 points in the opener, but was one of five players total who scored in double figures.

So coming into this game, who’s got the advantage? Truthfully, it’s Utah.

The Jazz have been playing the Lakers tough for years, but are still looking to get over the hump and get past them. Game 1 proved that even though the Jazz may be down a few men (starters Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko were out, Kirilenko may return for Game 3), they can still run with the Lakers. Again, they had five players score in double figures, including a surprising 14 points by rookie Wes Matthews, and another 16 from unheralded wing C.J. Miles.

The Jazz have made a habit of pulling upsets the entire second half of this season, and are going to get one Tuesday night in Game 2. Make them your NBA basketball bet.
Remember, Utah also lost Game 1 in their opening round against the Nuggets, and didn’t cover the spread. However, they roared back to a Game 2 in Denver, and never looked back, winning the series in six games. While we’re not saying that the Jazz will win the series, they’ll steal a game on the road.

The Lakers may be the defending champions, but they’ve hardly looked the part early on, needing six games to close out No. 8 seed Oklahoma City, and four full quarters to close out the Jazz in the opener of this series. They look much older, and less athletic than teams of the past.

Because of it, make the Utah Jazz your NBA basketball bet on Tuesday. They’re playing with nothing to lose, and will steal a win on the road.

Aaron’s Pick: Jazz +5 ½ >> Join NOW