Vince Appollo
02-06-2005, 12:17 PM
Houston-LA Lakers over 192 1/2
I've been playing Houston over the total lately and it's worked out well with them going over in 4 of their last 5. The book has edged up the total in this one, but 192 1/2 is not as bad as I thought it might be.
No guarantee EVER in the NBA of course, but lots of reasons to like this over...
Houston plays a slow tempo (which I hate) but they are very efficient offensively. Bob Sura has taken over the point guard duties and gives them a scorer at that spot. McGrady and Yao are worth 45 pts. between them. But the real key is Jon Barry's 46% shooting from the 3 pt. line (since joining the Rockets), Scott Padgett hitting 47% of his 3's, and David Wesley's steady scoring. With the Lakers not having a threat in the post, I see Padgett getting more minutes than Mutombo today. That's a big key for the overs coming through. I like this Houston team. They've put together some great spot up shooters to play off Yao and T-Mac.
The Lakers have gone over in 6 of 10 without Kobe. They should want to push the pace of this game since Houston is much better in the half-court than LA. Make Yao run. LA is well rested and they have no excuse not to push the tempo today!
And even though Houston has a reputation as a great defensive team, I do not think they are-- Sura, Barry, Wesley, Weatherspoon, Howard, Padgett-- none of these guys are good defenders. And for their part, the Lakers are giving up 100 on the road.
Record to date 26-13 on this message board with top picks
I've been playing Houston over the total lately and it's worked out well with them going over in 4 of their last 5. The book has edged up the total in this one, but 192 1/2 is not as bad as I thought it might be.
No guarantee EVER in the NBA of course, but lots of reasons to like this over...
Houston plays a slow tempo (which I hate) but they are very efficient offensively. Bob Sura has taken over the point guard duties and gives them a scorer at that spot. McGrady and Yao are worth 45 pts. between them. But the real key is Jon Barry's 46% shooting from the 3 pt. line (since joining the Rockets), Scott Padgett hitting 47% of his 3's, and David Wesley's steady scoring. With the Lakers not having a threat in the post, I see Padgett getting more minutes than Mutombo today. That's a big key for the overs coming through. I like this Houston team. They've put together some great spot up shooters to play off Yao and T-Mac.
The Lakers have gone over in 6 of 10 without Kobe. They should want to push the pace of this game since Houston is much better in the half-court than LA. Make Yao run. LA is well rested and they have no excuse not to push the tempo today!
And even though Houston has a reputation as a great defensive team, I do not think they are-- Sura, Barry, Wesley, Weatherspoon, Howard, Padgett-- none of these guys are good defenders. And for their part, the Lakers are giving up 100 on the road.
Record to date 26-13 on this message board with top picks