Gasol little more than a spectator to Kobe show

Basketball Betting Lines

06/13/2010 -

BOSTON (AP) -Pau Gasol finally got the ball with a chance to shoot, and Kevin Garnett sent it back at him.

A few minutes later, the same thing happened.

Gasol was little more than a spectator of the Kobe Bryant show in Game 5 of the NBA finals on Sunday night. And if he doesn't become part of the offense again, he might be watching something else: another Boston Celtics celebration at the Los Angeles Lakers' expense.

The forward from Spain either couldn't get himself involved or the Lakers wouldn't involve him. Gasol got only four shots in the first half and finished with 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the Celtics' 92-86 victory that gave them a 3-2 lead in the series.

Even worse for the Lakers, he looked passive and pouty, getting overwhelmed by Garnett and often complaining to the officials, just as he did when the Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 finals.

Gasol was hardly the Lakers' only problem. Nobody else was in double figures until his free throw with 2:25 remaining, and they would've been blown off the TD Garden floor if not for Bryant's sensational third quarter.

But Gasol is the one who is most expected to step up and be the No. 2 man, the All-Star big with enough skills to score inside or out. And he had been mostly making up for his miserable 2008 series, averaging 20.5 points on 54 percent shooting in the first four games while largely outplaying Garnett.

But he has occasionally expressed frustration when the Lakers forget to throw the ball into the post, and he got few touches in the first half. He put up only four shots, then was swatted twice by Garnett in the third quarter when the ball did come his way.

Just for good measure, Tony Allen got him, too, racing in from nowhere to stop Gasol's attempt under the basket.

This resembled a Lakers game from the 2005-06 season, when they had little talent around Bryant and forced him to be great nearly every game for a chance to win.

He was superb in the third quarter, scoring 19 points on a series of long jumpers. But that's not going to beat the Celtics, who are prepared to deal with big nights from Bryant as long as nobody else has them.

``We are going to have to win a game eventually in this series where he goes off for a big number,'' Boston coach Doc Rivers said before the game. ``But that number, whatever it is, it's still not the final number. Other people still have to score for them.''

Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum couldn't, going scoreless after combining for 15 points in the first quarter. Gasol couldn't do much better in his lowest-scoring game of the series.

He needed to be better in 2008, and still does now.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Sprtsline Basketball Betting News

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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