NBA Odds and Pick Jazz vs Lakers

Tip-off:  10:30 pm est.

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz tonight in a game between two of the better teams in the Western Conference.  Even without Carlos Boozer, the Jazz have done well enough to garner a 19 and 14 straight-up record.  Their record against the BetOnline online betting spread is 19 and 14 as well.  A lot of their success has to do with the play of point-guard Derron Williams who sports betting fans recognize as one of the best reasons to make an online bet on the Jazz almost every time they take the floor.  Mehmet Okur’s terrific play is another reason.  The brilliant Turk had another double-double in Utah’s last game.

The Lakers are riding a straight-up four game win streak going into tonight’s game.  The streak includes the brilliant victory over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.  Against the BetOnline online wagering spread, Los Angeles has been very good during the streak going 3 and 1.  But overall their record against the spread is only 14 and 19.  That makes them a tough basketball bet to make in most games.

Here are the BetOnline online sportsbook betting odds for this game.

Utah Jazz                                            + 9 ½  – 110                 + 400               O  207  – 110

Los Angeles Lakers                          – 9 ½  – 110                  – 500                U  207  – 110

Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game.

The Utah Jazz are 6 and 2 against the spread in their last 8 games overall.

The Utah Jazz are 3-8-1 against the spread the last 12 times these two teams have met.

The Los Angeles Lakers are 3 and 10 against the spread in their last 13 games overall.

The Over is 12 and 4 in the Los Angeles Lakers last 16 games at home.

Even though I’d love to put some online wagering dollars on the BetOnline Total to go over, I’m not sold on the idea of the Jazz playing an up and down game with the Lakers.

Utah has the ability to play both fast or slow, as does Los Angeles.  That means that the game could go under…but that it could also go over.

What I do comfortable betting is against the spread.  I see Utah keeping this game close.  Not because they are nearly as good as the Lakers this season, but because Los Angeles just doesn’t like to cover against the spread.

For some reason, L.A. doesn’t blow out teams.  They let teams stay in the game well into the fourth quarter.  The Lakers rarely lose straight-up but they also rarely cover against the BetOnline online betting spread.

I’ll be making an online bet that the Utah Jazz beats the 9 ½ point online wagering spread in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.