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NBA Playoff Odds: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 7

Written by Jimmy Boyd

rockets-lakers-gm-7-51509 We were all shocked by Houston’s Game 1 win in Los Angeles, but most chalked it up to the Lakers being a little rusty after a long layoff. The Lakers won the next two and many figured they would continue to roll, especially with Yao Ming going down with a foot injury. But Houston has won two of three without their All-Star center in the lineup to force a Game 7 where anything can happen. The action goes down Sunday, May 17th at 3:30 pm EST on ABC. NBA odds makers aren’t expecting much of a game, however, listing the Los Angeles Lakers as 12.5-point favorites with the total set at 194.

The Lakers got off to a terrible start in Game 6, and although they were eventually able to claw their way back, the Rockets were determined to bring the series back to LA for a chance to pull off a stunning upset. I’ve been saying this all series, and it proved to be true again, as Aaron Brooks was the ex-factor, leading the way for Houston with 26 points. When he has been able to score the basketball, the Rockets have been able to win so it will be important for him to continue to be aggressive offensively. Brooks is averaging 26.3 points in the three Houston wins and just 11.3 points in the three Houston defeats. Luis Scola has been another unlikely big time performer in this series. He has scored in double figures in each game and he exploded for a 24-point, 12-rebound night in the face of elimination Thursday. Ron Artest has really been struggling from the floor, averaging just 10.3 points in the last three games after scoring 23.6 points per game through the first three. I can’t see the Rockets winning Game 7 if Artest doesn’t play well on both ends of the floor. If you think the books are spotting Houston too many points, bet the Rockets at +12.5 at BetUS and receive up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses.

Phil Jackson and the Lakers are not worried, at least outwardly. They are 41-6 at home this season so they have proven that they know how to get the job done in Staples Center. After LA’s Game 4 defeat in Houston, it returned home to give the Rockets one of its worst playoff losses in the history on the franchise. I’d say the chances of giving the Rockets another beat down like that is highly unlikely, but the Lakers are winning at home by an average of 10.5 points per game this season. The key for the Lakers is going to be to speed up the tempo. I know the Rockets are looking to run a little more without Yao Ming in the lineup, but the Lakers are a better running team. The Lakers are 3-0 in this series when scoring more than 100 points and 0-3 when scoring less than 100 so it is critical that LA turns this game into a track meet. We can expect a big game from Kobe Bryant, who is averaging 29.7 points per game in this series, but the other guys are going to have to step up. Both Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom have been quiet for the most part in this series. If you expect Los Angeles to bounce back with a blowout win, just like they did in Game 5, bet the Lakers at -12.5 at BetUS.

Bet on the NBA Playoffs with the help of Jimmy Boyd NBA expert picks this Sunday!

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