NBA: Action heating up in Phoenix (9:00 PM ET, ESPN)
2008-02-20
Shaquille O’Neal’s first game in Phoenix is exciting enough. Having that matchup come against Kobe & the Lakers is off the charts. Betting action figures to be heavy on this game, so follow the Betting Trends page all day for continuous updates.
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It’s not every day rivals fighting for a division title and best record in the conference meet, throw in trades by each team to enhance there position in the standings, and the makings of a donnybrook of activity and drama come into play. Fans of the Phoenix Suns are anxious to see what O’Neal can do to lead them to NBA finals.
The much anticipated debut of (fill in your favorite nickname) the Big Fella has the Valley of the Sun abuzz, even as pitchers and catchers have arrived for spring training. O’Neal’s first practice left him gassed, not only because how long he had been out, but because of the intensity and running. “No wonder they only practice an hour, man they (the Suns) run a lot.” O’Neal said. He better get used to it, along with the fact there will not be many nights off playing in the Western Conference, with 29 games remaining for his new team.
How effective Shaq can really be after missing so much time with bad hip comes into question, but the chances to go up facing against Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant, in meaningful games, has to add inspiration and desire. The Suns are 20-6 at home with 10-15-1 ATS record, often overvalued, as the defense does rest, ranking 26th in points allowed at 104 a game. How all these pieces fit together and how quickly, will be critical for coach Mike D’Antoni. Phoenix owns the second best record in the West, trailing New Orleans by just a game, but any prolonged losing streak of three or more games and they could be trying to hang on to seventh or eight seed in no time.
The Lakers swung a deal to land Pau Gasol to help fill in for center Andrew Bynum, which suggests they will be only stronger when the improving big man returns. Los Angeles not only survived, they thrived on longest road trip of the year with 7-2 straight up and ATS record. The Lakers have the second-best cover rate among road teams at 18-9-1 ATS, winning by 5.2 PPG.
Kobe Bryant is playing with a torn ligament in his right pinky finger and is trying to avoid surgery. If this were necessary, he could miss up to six weeks and he knows the Lakers have legit opportunity to make Finals. Bryant said in a statement, "My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest. I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But this is an injury that myself and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."
On the presumption Shaq is ready to play, Phoenix should be a small favorite at Sportsbook.com. The Suns and the crowd will be fired up and Steve Nash and company are 3-0 this season with three or more days off, however 0-5-1 ATS in last six. The Lakers having played Atlanta are 6-2 ATS in last eight outings with zero rest.
ESPN will broadcast anticipated contest starting at 9 Eastern, with the Lakers 7-5 ATS at US Airways Arena, despite just two outright wins.
StatFox Take – Phoenix by 1
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