NBA - Atlanta Hawks vs LA Lakers Basketball betting preview

Did anyone see the look on Kobe Bryant's face during the interview last night???? He was ECSTATIC!! And why shouldn't he be, its the beginning of the Pau Gasol era on the Lakers. Imagine a full strength Lakers with a starting lineup of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher! I wouldn't even want to be the Celtics facing this team.

Anyways back to tonight, looking at Gasol last night coming of a back strain, and going down for 24 points, was an awesome performances. While Kobe Bryant has a dislocated pinky finger, he would need the rest of the team to contribute scoring wise and Derek Fisher stepped up to the plate dishing out a season high 28 points. However, Kobe showed what a professional and tough guy he was that despite scoring 6 points, he helped up picking boards, assists, blocks and steals.

Lamar Odom has a monster night and was looking good in a front court partnership along with Gasol where he had a 15 point 14 board night, despite going up against a tall New Jersey lineup.

Atlanta on the other hand have not been playing well recently but they are looking to get a 3 game winning streak. Josh Smith has been playing out of his skin by scoring, rebounding, blocking, stealing and dishing out assists. He has been under pressure because Joe Johnson has been struggling with injury that is limiting his scoring. The head coach has been commenting that the pressure on Joe Smith may take its toil on him, especially after they were down in the game against the 76ers.

Joe Johnson's poor form has seen him not hit his average of 21 consistently since this injury and with the solid front court of the Lakers, they should easily outrebound the Hawks easily to limit their second chance opportunities.

Lakers should easily take this game, despite Kobe being not 100% fit, and we should start seeing their triangle offense take shape now that Gasol has had a few days to work on it with Phil Jackson that had become such a lethal weapon for the Lakers during the Shaquille O'Neal era.

Pick : Lakers -4.5
Odds : 1.95
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Match Result :
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