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NBA Playoff Odds: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Game 6

Written by Jimmy Boyd

lakers-rockets-gm-6-51309 The defending Western Conference champions got a wake up call when they lost Game 1 at home to the Houston Rockets. Apparently they needed another one. After going down again in Game 4 to a Rockets team playing without Yao Ming, the Lakers responded with a 118-78 win in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 tips at 9:30 pm EST on ESPN Thursday night as the Lakers try to close out the series. NBA odds makers think Los Angeles will get the job done, listing the Lakers as an 8-point favorite with the total set at 197.

After a pathetic Game 4 performance, you just knew Los Angeles would show up at home in Game 5. The Lakers led by 11 at the end of the first, 25 at the half, and 40 after the third. And that’s where it would stay. Now, one would think that the Lakers wouldn’t get caught napping again, but most thought that after their Game 1 defeat. The Lakers know the Rockets are going to lay it all out on the line in front of their home fans, and it will be up to them to match their intensity. The Lakers now have a big advantage on the interior with Yao Ming sidelined with a foot injury, and I expect them to continue to take advantage. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum combined for 30 points and 19 rebounds as they dominated the painted area in Game 5. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points on 10 of 19 shooting and he will be ready to carry the load if his team comes out flat in Game 6. If you think Los Angeles ends the series Thursday night and covers the spread in the process, bet the Lakers at -8 at BetUS and receive up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses.

After tying their worst playoff defeat ever, and with this being a do-or-die Game 6, you can expect the Rockets to leave it all out on the floor Thursday night. Fortunately, they’ll be able to so on their home floor where they are an impressive 37-9 this season, including the playoffs. One thing is certain, if the Rockets hope to extend this series they’ll have to shoot a lot better from the three point line. Houston is one of the stronger three point shooting teams in the NBA, ranking tenth in the league at 37.5 percent, but it was a horrid 5 of 29 (17.2 percent) from deep in Game 5. Another thing that must happen is Ron Artest must show up. After averaging 23.7 points per game through the first three games of the series, Artest has been held to just 8 and 9 points respectively the last two games. And once again, Aaron Brooks figures to be the ex-factor for the Rockets. The Lakers were able to hold him in check in Game 5, limiting him to 14 points on just 4 of 11 shooting – a far cry from his 34 points in Game 4. If you think Houston has what it takes to force a Game 7, or at least to take Los Angeles down to the wire, bet the Rockets at +8 at BetUS.

Start cashing in on Jimmy Boyd’s NBA picks this postseason for big success against the NBA betting odds.

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