NBA Betting: Lakers are overly-reliant on Bryant

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 03 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher have an exchange of views

"This week, the Lakers travel East for games against Miami, Charlotte and Orlando. On current form, I can see them losing at least two of these games."

The Los Angeles Lakers have sat atop the Western Conference for several months now. But they've had some narrow escapes and Nick Shiambouros believes their luck may not last until the end of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers top the Western Conference, 5.5 games ahead of their nearest pursuer and many people believe they will finish the season with the best record in the West. But I'm not sure that is the case, after a couple of recent losses and some indifferent play.

Since the All-Star break, the Lakers' record is 4-2 but that does not tell the whole story. Against Denver on Sunday they trailed for most of the game and staged a late rally to overcome a very stubborn Denver team. The Nuggets blew a huge lead and should have finished them off long before the fourth quarter.

Earlier this month, Kobe Bryant made a spectacular last second shot to beat Memphis 99-98 in a thrilling encounter. The Grizzlies left the court kicking themselves as they should have defended Bryant a lot closer. Memphis were clearly the better team.

The Lakers have been leading the West for several months now but their intensity has definitely dropped in the last couple of weeks. In my opinion Ron Artest and Lamar Odom have not been pulling their weight recently and this has had an effect on the chemistry of the team. Pau Gasol has also struggled in the past few weeks.

The only Laker who has played at a very high level recently is Kobe Bryant. His thirst for the game is unquenchable and he remains one of the greatest players ever to grace a basketball court. The problem Los Angeles has when they are not playing well is that they become completely one dimensional and rely solely on Bryant for offense.

It's not very often that I recommend laying a team like Los Angeles but they are not at their best and have a very difficult schedule ahead. This month they only play four times on their home court and face stiff opposition on the road.

This week, the Lakers travel East for games against Miami, Charlotte and Orlando. On current form, I can see them losing at least two of these games.

Miami and Charlotte are both fighting for a play-off spot and will not go down easily. At this time of the year every game is vital for teams with post-season aspirations with every shot hotly contested.

On Sunday, the Lakers take on the Orlando Magic in a nationally televised game. Dwight Howard and the Magic match up well against the Lakers with their long range shooting ability. If the Magic can light up the scoreboard early they will have a great chance of winning this huge game.
　
The Lakers are currently [3.35] to win the NBA championship - an extremely short price if you consider the fierce opposition in both Conferences. They will have to play Denver and possibly Dallas just to win the Western Conference. That is a very tall order indeed.

Recommended Bets:

Lay the Los Angeles Lakers with the handicap against Miami 4th,Charlotte 5th ,Orlando 7th