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May 1st, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks are two of the most evenly matched teams in the playoffs this year, and it should be absolutely remarkable to see these two go at it for what could be an absolutely remarkable series.

How the Mavericks Can Win This Series
Dallas needs to shake this mantra that it can’t win it all. Sure, we know that the Mavs have only been to one NBA Finals in team history, and we know that Dirk Nowitzki is a notorious loveable loser in Big D, but there has to be a point that everyone has to believe that it is good enough to knock off the two time defending champs.

There was definitely the good, the bad, and the ugly for the Mavs against the Portland Trail Blazers. The good was certainly none other than Nowitzki, who averaged 27.3 points per game in the first round. The bad came from the likes of Tyson Chandler, who averaged just 6.5 points per game, and Jose Barea, who averaged 5.2 points per game. The ugly was that big time bomb dropped at the end of Game 4 in which a 20+ point lead was blown.

At some point, Caron Butler might be available in this series, and if he is, that could make a big time difference. The man that really stepped up in the scoring effort in Round 1 was Jason Kidd, who averaged 11.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Jason Terry was a fantastic sixth man, shooting a team best 48.8 percent and coming up with 17.3 points per game. Similar is going to be required out of these two, but the rest of the role players need to step up to the table to be able to beat the Lakers.

How the Lakers Can Win This Series
Sometimes it seems like everything that Head Coach Phil Jackson touches turns to gold. After all, these two have three handfuls worth of rings between them, including a slew of them together. Bryant just seems to always have the right stuff to win it all, and he can go off for 80 points in a game if he is really given the chance. Bryant averaged 22.5 points per game in the first round, something that is really not very Kobe Bryant-esque. He’ll inevitably do better in this series.

Pau Gasol really didn’t do much in the way of scoring or rebounding ,at least by his standards, and without him stepping up to the table to be the big time second scorer and top glass cleaner on this team, the Lakers could be in some trouble. Gasol averaged 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the first round of the playoffs, and the truth of the matter is that Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were the ones that picked up the slack for him. These two combined for 27.2 points and 16.3 rebounds per game against the Hornets.

The other key to this might be the play of Derek Fisher. Fisher averaged 9.3 points per game over double what he averaged in the regular season this year, and if he can shoot 52.6 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three point land like he did over the course of the last two weeks, it would really be a tremendous help for Jackson and the gang. Ron Artest also averaged 11.8 points per game in the first round.

The Last Word – For as good as the Mavericks are, and for as even as the 57 wins that both of these teams had in the regular season seem to put them, the Lakers are the better team, and they’re certainly the better side in the postseason. Bryant and the gang just have all of the right stuff, and that’s not something that Nowitzki and his band of Mavericks can boast about. It’ll be another painful crash out of the playoffs for Dallas, as the Lakers maintain a stronghold on the Western Conference and move just one step closer to the grandest stage of them all yet again. NBA Playoffs Picks: Lakers in 6

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May 1st, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The 2011 Eastern Conference is really expected to be just a three horse race. However, that being said, the Atlanta Hawks are hoping to spoil in party on the NBA Finals odds over the course of the next two weeks, as they take on the top seed in the conference, the Chicago Bulls.

How the Hawks Can Win This Series
Atlanta really did everything in its power to make sure that it beat the Orlando Magic and avenged last year’s loss in the first round of the postseason by a whopping 111 points in four games. Unfortunately for the Hawks, that series went six games and looked like it took a boatload out of them. It’s going to take an even bigger effort with even fewer mistakes and even more luck to be able to take care of the Bulls, and it’s a real question whether any of that is even remotely possible.

Atlanta really shot the rock well over the course of that series against the Magic, at least relatively speaking to what Orlando was capable of. The five main players in the rotation all scored at least 10 points per game for the Hawks, led by the 20.5 points per game of Jamal Crawford off of the bench. Joe Johnson knocked down 18.0 points per game, while Josh Smith and Al Horford combined for 26.3 points and 18.4 rebounds per game between them.

The big concern right now is the health of Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich is really the team’s only point guard, and his hamstring injury suffered in Game 6 against Orlando really couldn’t have been more ill timed for the Hawks. If he can’t go (and he’s not expected to in Game 1), there is going to be a lot of pressure on a lot of different men to handle the basketball, and that might even including seeing more of Crawford or Johnson running the point position, something that really can’t be sitting well with Head Coach Larry Drew coming into this series.

How the Bulls Can Win This Series
The Bulls are the bigger, badder team in this series, and they certainly have all of the intangibles that you are looking for in a team to put away an iffy squad like the Hawks. Chicago didn’t really play at its best at any point in this first round series against the Indiana Pacers, but getting the job done in five games was certainly good enough for the fans in the Windy City.

The question mark again is health, but in this case, though the star is bigger, the effect on the team might not be as bad. It’s not like Chicago didn’t have to play half of the season without Carlos Boozer in the lineup anyway, so the team knows what it is like to be without one of its stars. Boozer is nursing a turf toe, and he really didn’t play all that well in the opening round series against the Pacers anyway. Like we said, there are plenty of other bigs like Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and the likes that can pick up the slack offensive and on the glass, and the truth of the matter is that Atlanta really doesn’t have the bigs to worry us all that much even in Boozer does miss any time with this injury.

Oh, and have we forgotten to mention the league’s soon to be MVP, Derrick Rose? Rose really took over the entire series against the Pacers at times, single handedly winning Games 1 and 2. He averaged 27.6 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 boards, 2.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game in the first round, clearly making him the MVP of that series as well. Again, especially if Hinrich doesn’t play, Rose has an absolutely tremendous advantage at the point guard spot in this series.

The Last Word – Atlanta is just out of gas in this one. If the Hawks even win a game in this series, it should be considered a triumph. We know that it won the first meeting of these two teams this year, but when push came to shove, the Bulls posted a brutal blow out in the last two meetings. Expect to see a very, very lopsided series in the end. NBA Playoffs Picks: Bulls in 4

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May 1st, 2011 By Louie - Cappersinfo Admin

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Round two of the NBA playoffs begin today with the Boston-Miami series and the Memphis-Oklahoma City series getting underway. The first round has been filled with upsets and underdogs. San Antonio knocked off by 8th seed Memphis has to be one of the larger upsets in NBA playoff history. Atlanta revenging last year’s record sweep by Orlando was another first round surprise. 8-3 NBA 1st round record, let’s start off the 2nd round in similar winning fashion.

NBA Matchup: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Game Date/Time: Sunday, May 1, 3:30 ET
Location: American Airlines Arena- Miami, FL
NBA Odds: Miami -5
Over/Under Odds: 182

Game Analysis: The second round begins and we can’t ask for a better match up with Miami and Boston facing off to see who represents the east in the conference finals. Boston held a 3-1 regular season lead over Miami although they were soundly beaten in their most recent contest a game that helped Miami secure the home court advantage for this series. This series figures to be an instant classic, with both teams not only capable of winning against the current opponent but also capable of winning the NBA championship. Miami is a 5 point favorite in game 1 with the total set at 182. I think the key to this series is how well Boston plays on the road, which this year has been a real strength of theirs. The Celtics appeared to play much better against the Knicks once went to the Garden in New York. Don’t get me wrong they play excellent at home, but they really seem to focus on the road which in a playoff series is a real asset. 5 points is just too many to be giving Boston in game 1, and I have to like getting that many points in this spot a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Boston won this game. I wasn’t impressed with Miami from what I saw of them against Philadelphia. LeBron did not look like the LeBron I am used to seeing in the playoffs. Against a better opponent like Boston if his shaky play continues it is the end for Miami in this year’s playoffs. Look for Rondo to set the tone in game 1 with a big game shooting and distributing. Rondo is the key to the series due to Miami’s lack of a true point guard, and if he can have a big series especially scoring it really puts tremendous pressure on Miami’s big 3 of James, Wade and Bosh. Look for Boston to try to run off missed shots and score as much as they can in the transition game. That has been their profile this year on the road which really makes the total a tough call at 182. Take Boston +5 for round two’s first pick, and look for a close game and a very close series.

Free NBA Playoff Picks: Boston Celtics +5

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April 30th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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It was awfully unpredictable to think that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies would be playing each other in the second round of the playoffs, but that’s where we are at. One of these two will beat the NBA playoffs odds and make it to the NBA Finals, and we have our postseason NBA picks for this crucial series.

How the Grizzlies Can Win This Series
The Grizz have really had a very predictable formula for beating the NBA odds thus far in the playoffs. They’re just going to work really, really hard, win all of the hustle stats, make a few timely shots, and come up clutch in the end. That was the only way that they were able to beat a San Antonio Spurs team that truly outclassed them in the first round of the playoffs, yet the series really never was all that close.

The question is whether the stars are going to be there to keep up with the scoring prowess of the Thunder. Zach Randolph could get away with 20-25 point games making him the top scorer against the Spurs, but that just won’t be the case against the Thunder. We really don’t see anyone else being able to step up and knock down 10 shots in a game on a regular basis, which really puts a lot of pressure on the man in the middle. In fairness, Randolph did have 31 points in the close out game against the Spurs, so he definitely is capable, but pulling it off again and again against Oklahoma City is a different story.

Mike Conley Jr. did just about everything for the Grizz in the first round, accounting for right around 14 points, six assists, and four boards per game. Marc Gasol was the double-double machine with just over 14 points and a dozen rebounds on the average night. These two will have to be clutch, and someone else will have to come forward on a regular basis, whether it be OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur, Sam Young, or an unheralded hero for Memphis to march on to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in team history.

How the Thunder Can Win This Series
The equation is now absolutely right for the Thunder. Sure, looking at the stats for Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammad isn’t all that impressive, but these two really have brought a toughness to the defense for Oklahoma City in the paint, and the end result was holding one of the best offensive teams in the game below its scoring average in five straight games.

Last season, there was really only Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. Sure, Jeff Green and James Harden did their thing from time to time against the eventual champs, the Los Angeles Lakers, but if Westbrook and Durant didn’t get the job done, no one was really able to. Now, it’s true that these two are the big time heroes of this team once again. Durant averaged 32.4 points per game, while Westbrook was at 23.8 points per game against the Nuggets. However, they were definitely not the only stars that were able to shine.

Serge Ibaka was really the man that came up big, and if he dominates both on the glass and in the blocks department the same way that he did against Denver, it’s all over but the crying for the Grizzlies. Ibaka scored 10.2 points, brought down 11.0 boards, and blocked 4.8 shots per game in the series against Denver.

The Last Word – Memphis definitely has the ability to compete in this series, and it will find itself favored in games on its home court assuming that the Thunder don’t just absolutely roll with two easy wins in the Sooner State to get started. Don’t be shocked if this ends up being a heck of a lot better of a series than it is billed for. Both of these teams are going to fight tooth and nail, but in the end, it’s home court advantage that will rule the day. NBA Playoffs Picks: Thunder in 7

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April 29th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and they are going to really be going at it for what could be an epic second round series in NBA betting action.

How the Celtics Can Win This Series
Boston badly needs to be able to shore up its defense in this series better than it was in Games 1 and 2 against the New York Knicks. However, Head Coach Doc Rivers has a veteran team which really knows how to keep the energy turned up when push really comes to shove. The ‘D’ allowed just 89 points in Game 4 against New York, but this was a significantly better game than the stats really suggest.

It would really help if someone is able to step up to help out the veteran players for Boston. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnett all had absolutely remarkable series again the Knicks. Pierce was good for 22.2 points per game in the first round, while Allen was just behind at 22.0 points per game. The man that really made the offense go was Rondo at 19.0 points, 12.0 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. Garnett averaged a double-double as well at 15.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Glen Davis and Jeff Green only contributed a dozen points between them on average. Their contributions weren’t needed against New York, but you can bet that they will have to be against the Heat.

The big question is whether there is going to be a big man that can help out in the paint. KG can only do so much, and Big Baby Davis just isn’t quite there. Jermaine O’Neal only averaged 5.5 points and 4.0 boards per game, and Nenad Krstic really didn’t make any contributions against the Knicks either.

How the Heat Can Win This Series
Miami might have needed five games to take care of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, but we tend to believe that this was a better series for its long term health in the playoffs than the short series was for the Celtics. Again, defense is going to be key, as the Heat really didn’t play all that well on this side of the ball at all times against Boston this year.

The Heat are also going to have to get over their own problems of playing against teams that were legitimate contenders to beat the NBA Finals odds. They really didn’t play well against teams like Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and the likes on this season.

Just like Boston though, the Heat are really struggling trying to get production outside of their biggest scorers. Of course, there isn’t a much more talented trio in the league than LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The three combined for over 65 points, 28 boards, and over 12 assists per game. James Jones and Mario Chalmers both averaged right around seven points per game, while Joel Anthony and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had decent contributions as rebounders and blocked shot artists.

The Last Word – Home court advantage is going to be absolutely key in this series. We tend to believe that both teams can steal one game on the road, but when push comes to shove, Rivers and company are really going to kick themselves for giving up in those last few games of the season when they could have earned Game 7 at home. The Heat will just barely live to tell about a series with the defending conference champs. NBA Playoffs Picks: Heat in 7

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April 27th, 2011 By Louie - Cappersinfo Admin

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Again, our blog writers and handicappers just keep rolling along. Our bloggers are currently 8-2 with their NBA playoff picks; including a 2-0 Monday night with the Lakers & over. Our forum members are currently red hot in the bases as well as the NBA playoffs. Be sure to check them out as well as the Free MLB contests on the forums that are starting this weekend.

Here’s another rock solid NBA playoff move from “The Raven”. This one is for the all important game 5 match-up between San Antonio and Memphis. Here at Cappersinfo.com, we will continue to work hard to not only bring you daily picks, but bring you quality picks from REAL handicappers. That’s the Cappersinfo difference.

NBA Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies @ San Antonio Spurs
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, April 27th, 8:35 ET
Location: AT&T Center- San Antonio, Texas
NBA Odds: San Antonio Spurs -6.5
Over/Under Odds: 189

Game Analysis: Who could have imagined we would be coming back to San Antonio for game 5 with the Spurs trailing three games to one? However that is where we stand at the moment with the Spurs collective backs against the wall in need of a win in game 5 at home or the season is over and the number one seed loses in the first round. There is no longer any margin for error and the Spurs had better get the momentum back on their side. So far this series Memphis has controlled the play both offensively and defensively. I have faith however that the experienced Spurs won’t go out without a fight. The best asset they have right now considering how sporadic the offense has been is their team defense. San Antonio has allowed Memphis to shoot 50% twice in the series and in both those games they allowed 100 points and came out on the losing end. In the other two games they held Memphis to 91 and 87 respectively on 40% and 42% shooting. I think in game 5 you will see a defensive intensity we have not yet seen from San Antonio in this series. Where the Spurs have had the most problems in this series is on offense averaging just 91 PPG. You have to give a lot of that credit to Memphis who has played excellent defense this series. I expect that defensive tenacity to continue for the Grizzlies in game 5. The total in this very important game is set at 189 which is within a half point of the lowest total yet for the 5 game series. I have to side with under 189 in this game expecting the Spurs to play the kind of defense that has led them to the number one seed in the Western Conference this year. I think Memphis will play well too and as far as the side goes it’s too close to call. However the under 189 stands out as a great play in the NBA playoffs going Wednesday night.

Free NBA Playoff Picks: UNDER 189

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April 25th, 2011 By Andy "The Raven" Frank (Cappersinfo Contributor)

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The Cappersinfo.com blog is the place to be for the best free NBA picks on the web.  Our contributors and handicappers continue to sizzle in the NBA playoffs with win after win.  Andy “The Raven” Frank is a combined 6-2 in the NBA playoffs thus far (75% winners).  Where can you go for results like that?  It’s now week two of the playoffs and some interesting situations are unfolding.  This is a special side and total pick for the Tuesday, April 26 matchup between the Hornets and Lakers.  Enjoy…

NBA Matchup: New Orleans Hornets @ LA Lakers
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @ 8:05 ET
Location: The Staples Center- Los Angeles, California
NBA Odds: Los Angeles Lakers -10.5
Over/Under Odds: 183

Game Analysis: Tonight is the all important game 5 in a series tied at two games each. The Lakers were able to win one of two in New Orleans but are coming off a 93-88 loss Sunday in a thrilling back and forth game. Sunday’s game was a special one for Chris Paul who led his team with a triple double, his first of the season. 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists is a monster game and for it to come in the playoffs makes it a clutch performance too. Paul has almost single handily carried the Hornets on his back in this series and given the Lakers nation something to really worry about. If his play weren’t enough to hurt the Lakers Kobe Bryant aka “mamba” tweaked his foot late in game three and is expected to play in game 4. At first the injury was thought to be a sprained ankle which might be the lesser of two evils for the Lakers, however it is now being called a injury to his foot. Only time will tell what the ramifications are of this injury however there is no doubt that the Lakers’ fate rests in whether Kobe can play or not. As for game 5 we go back to the Staples Center in LA where the crowd will be in rare form. All the celebrities will be in their expensive courtside seats and this is a very important game in the Lakers quest for the three-peat. LA has only played one game up to their standards in this series so far and that was the 100-86 win in New Orleans on Friday. However in their playoff history since 1996 they are 20-8 ATS in game 5’s of all playoff series, and 8-3 in games 5’s the last three years. LA knows when to turn it on and with their backs against the wall are in need of a big game. That is right when they are about to have one of those games when we say “Oh yeah, that’s right they are that good”. Game 5 will be the wake up call for us all with a convincing win for the Lakers. I also like the over 183 in this game because when the Lakers are pressured they somehow almost always come up with one of their best efforts. That will include well over 100 points against the Hornets and a comfortable win by double digits.

Free NBA Playoff Picks: Los Angeles Lakers -10.5 & Over 183

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April 21st, 2011 By Louie - Cappersinfo Admin

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NBA Matchup: Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks
Game Date/Time: Friday, April 22, 2011 @ 8:05 ET
Location: Philips Arena – Atlanta, Georgia
NBA Odds: Orlando -1.5
Over/Under Odds: 181

Game Analysis: Of all the picks I have made so far for the playoffs this one is the strongest of them all. I loved Atlanta in game one and not only picked them to cover the spread but to win the game outright which they did. Orlando bounced back in game two but still failed to cover winning 88-82 laying 9 points. This year’s Orlando team is not even close to a shadow of their past playoff teams. In this series the only real scoring threat for Orlando has been Dwight Howard, and Atlanta has done an excellent job on defending his supporting cast. If Orlando doesn’t start to find some offense elsewhere they are in for big trouble in this series. The crowd should be in rare form tonight considering the fans certainly didn’t forget last year’s disappointment and the severe beating the Hawks got at home against Orlando in the conference semi-finals. Revenge is usually not a factor in the NBA, but I can see it in the Hawks play that they were completely embarrassed last year and made a commitment this year to revenge that loss. Orlando is the perfect team to face in this situation having made late season moves that are questionable at best and not playing nearly as well this year as they have in the past few years. Dwight Howard did all he can do in the first two games and the Magic were really lucky to gain a split at home If you ask me Orlando’s run of dominance in the early rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs will come to an abrupt end this year at the hands of Atlanta. A win in Game three is a very important step for the Hawks to take to exercise last year’s demons and regain respectability.

Free NBA Playoff Pick: Atlanta +1.5

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April 20th, 2011 By Louie - Cappersinfo Admin

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NBA Matchup: Chicago Bulls @ Indiana Pacers
Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 21, 2011 @ 7:05 ET
Location: Conseco Fieldhouse- Indianapolis, Indiana
NBA Odds: Chicago Bulls -4.5
Over/Under Odds: 189

Game Analysis: The Pacers have stayed closer then expected in both of the first two games in this series. They covered the spread in both games one and two with game one going over the posted total and game two staying under the total. The Bulls find themselves favored by 4.5 points for game three on the road with a total of 189. I fully realize Indiana has looked good in the first two games of this series, however the Bulls have been able to hold serve at home and can look to put the hammer down on this series with a win on the road in game three. Chicago has played at Indian twice this season winning 99-86 in January and losing 115-108 in March. Their effort on defense in the January win was the difference and I am looking for a big defensive effort from the Bulls in Indiana for game three. The Bulls know from their loss in March that an up and down type of game with Indiana is not putting their best foot forward. The Pacers have played excellent defense on the Bulls in the first two games forcing Derrick Rose to use some of his MVP magic to will Chicago to wins. I am expecting another great defensive game from Indiana and if they can force Rose’s teammates to be the ones who beat them they might be able to get the win at home as an underdog. I am more interested in the total in this game which is posted at 189. I am picking under 189 in this game as this series has been dominated by defense thus far and the change in venue to Conseco Fieldhouse won’t change that a bit. This may be the lowest scoring of the first three games as both teams have a good idea by now what the other wants to do and how to stop it. Look for a game played below 90 points by both teams as the Pacers will fight to keep it close at home and avoid a 3-0 deficit.

Free NBA Playoff Pick: Under 189

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April 19th, 2011 By Andy "The Raven" Frank (Cappersinfo Contributor)

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NBA Matchup: Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, April 20th, 8:05 ET
Location: Oklahoma City Arena – Oklahoma City, OK
NBA Odds: Oklahoma City -4.5
Over/Under Odds: 208

Game Analysis: Oklahoma City was able to escape game one at home with a close 107-103 victory. Denver kept the game very close and was able to cover the spread getting 5.5 to 6 points. The game went over the posted total of 204.5 despite just 91 second half points being scored. In game one there were 119 first half points scored. A different style of play in the second half helped the Thunder hold the Nuggets to 43 second half points. Game one went much like it did in the Miami-Philadelphia and the Chicago-Indiana series. In both of those series the first half pace was extremely fast followed by a second half that was much better defensively and a game two in which both home teams played defense in the entire game closer to how they played in the second halves of game 1. I expect the same from Oklahoma City especially after holding Denver to just 43 second half points in game 1. The total for this game opened at 207.5 and is up to 208 at the moment. It is entirely normal after an outcome of 210 on a total listed of 204.5 that in game two the total would be slightly higher. The public has the tendency to follow the most recent outcome and expect that to hold true in the next game. That doesn’t happen too often, more often then not game two’s in general are played completely differently then game ones are played. In game one we already saw such a wide range from what was scored in the first half (119) to the second half (91). I think Oklahoma City would much rather play Denver like they did in the second half then when they allowed the Nuggets to score 63 first half points. In game two a concentration on defense for the Thunder should control the pace of this game. The total is set way too high, and instead of the number going up due to the outcome of game one, I believe the total should be lower tonight due to the disparity in scoring between the first and second halves. Play under 208 in this game and wait to place the wager until the last moment the line may go up even higher.

Free NBA Playoff Picks: Under 208

NBA Matchup: New Orleans Hornets @ LA Lakers
Date: Wednesday, April 20th, 10:35 ET
Location: Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
NBA Odds : Lakers -11.5
Over/Under Odds: 187.5

Game Analysis: Everyone and their cousin will be lining up to bet on the Lakers in game two considering their huge upset loss in game one. However before you do that keep this in mind; over the last 8 games the Lakers went 2-6. Now you might say it was the end of the season but it is also a fact that playoff seeding was up for grabs at the same time. This “lapse” happened to LA earlier in the year and they were able to “right the ship” after the all-star break and go on an extended win streak. However in my opinion this Lakers team has one very large weakness and it is the key to beating them. I have seen this particular weakness cost them several games this year and in the playoffs it might be the key to if the Lakers can three-peat. The one glaring weakness on the Lakers is their ability on defense to stop a point guard who can score. I’ve seen several top point guards in this league eat Derrick Fisher up and the Lakers don’t have anyone else to go to should Chris Paul start to dominate him again like he did in game one. Paul outscored Fisher in game one 33-8 he also had 14 assists compared to just two for Fisher. That kind of domination in game two will give the Lakers fits. Even if Paul doesn’t have as good a game the Hornets are likely to be able to cover the inflated line of 11.5 points. The Hornets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 visits to the Staples Center and must have gained tremendous confidence in their surprise game one win. Chris Paul owns the kind of magic needed to beat LA in this series, and if the Lakers don’t clamp down on defense and force his supporting cast to beat them they are in for trouble not only in game two but in this series. Look for a much better defensive effort from the Lakers, but 11.5 points is way too many to expect LA to cover. I do also like the under a little at 187.5, but I am much more interested in playing New Orleans +11.5. This is another game you should wait until the last minute to wager on if you’re taking New Orleans. There is little doubt the public will drive this line up even more and pound LA late. Don’t fall into that trap; the right side tonight is New Orleans +11.5

Free NBA Playoff Selection: New Orleans +11.5

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