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Los Angeles Lakers v Dallas Mavericks | NBA Playoff Preview
The marquee match-up of the two Western Conference semifinals series changes scenery from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to deep in the heart of Texas as the Dallas Mavericks entertain the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of their series on Friday night.
Date/Time: Friday, May 6, 9:30 PM ET
Venue: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
Broadcast: ESPN
Money Line: Lakers +120, Mavericks -140
Spread: Dallas -2
Over/Under: 185.5
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The situation is a very tenuous one for the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers. They have lost the first two games of a best-of-seven series at home for just the third time in franchise history. The last time they dropped the first two contests in a series at home was in the 1977 Western Conference Finals. Portland went on to sweep that series.
If the Lakers are going to get back into this one, they will need to start shooting better for starters. They were just 2-for-20 from three-point range, missing their first 15 attempts from beyond the arc in Game 2. They also missed eight free throws in the contest as well.
However, history doesn’t seem to be on the side of the Lakers at this point. When losing the first two games of a series (whether home or away), the Lakers have gone on to win that series just twice in 18 series all-time. In the history of the NBA, only 14 teams have ever rebounded from a 0-2 series deficit to win, and no team once down 0-3 has ever done so.
Kobe Bryant once again led the Lakers with 23 points, which marked the 157th consecutive time that he has reached double figures in a postseason contest. Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 24 for the Mavericks. In Game 1, Nowtizki scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, marking the 28th time he has done so in postseason play.
The Lakers will need to come up with an answer for the dribble penetration of J.J. Barea, who did a bang up job setting up the Mavericks outside shooters for great looks down the stretch in Game 2. Ron Artest, who was ejected for elbowing Barea in the face late in the game, could face a suspension, which would further cripple the Lakers chances.
The odds makers have the Dallas Mavericks as a -2 point favorite with an over/under of 185.5.
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Matt’s Free Prediction: Lakers – The Mavs have always been uncomfortable with good fortune in the past. The Lakers are the champions until someone puts them down four out of seven. When people start to doubt the Lakers, they seem to answer their critics, so I expect their best game of the entire playoffs in this one.
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Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:
- LA Lakers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games
- LA Lakers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 9 games on the road
- LA Lakers are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games when playing Dallas
Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends:
- Dallas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
- Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas’s last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
- Dallas is 5-10 SU in their last 15 games when playing LA Lakers
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