New Orleans Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Los Angeles Lakers (-11.5)
Game Total Line: (187.5)
(wagering lines available at Sportsbook.com)

The Lakers went 4-0 against New Orleans in the regular season, including a 3-1 run against the spread. None of that mattered last Sunday, though, when the Hornets earned a 109-100 victory despite being 11-point underdogs.

Pau Gasol is taking a ton of flak for Los Angeles. He’s been labeled soft by opposing players this season, including Kendrick Perkins and Amar’e Stoudemire, and Gasol did little to change that image in the loss to New Orleans. He was just 2-for-9 from the field, finishing with just eight points and six rebounds. He had just two points in the fourth quarter.

With Gasol struggling, it undoubtedly puts more pressure on young center Andrew Bynum. Bynum was solid against the Hornets on Sunday, racking up 13 points and nine rebounds in about 25 minutes of action. Because his surgically repaired knee is still wonky, Bynum can’t usually give the Lakers more minutes than that.

Which means, once again, it could come down the Kobe Bryant Show. Bryant racked up 34 points, five assists and four rebounds in Game 1. If Gasol once again struggles, he’ll need an even bigger effort in Game 2—much like the way Chris Paul played last Sunday.

Paul was nothing short of brilliant in Sunday’s victory. Despite going into battle without David West—New Orleans’ leading scorer is done for the season with an injury—Paul willed the Hornets to victory, racking up 33 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and four steals. Paul had just two turnovers and scored 17 of his points in the fourth quarter. He can expect even more defensive attention from L.A. on Wednesday.

Now, the biggest question is whether or not Paul’s supporting cast can keep contributing. They’ll definitely get their opportunities with Paul drawing attention and distributing the ball, but they still need to make their shots. Carl Landry, Jarrett Jack, Marco Belinelli and Aaron Gray each scored in double figures in Game 1; that trend must continue for another upset to be possible. New Orleans also needs a better effort from Trevor Ariza, who went just 2-for-13 from the field; if he’s going to miss that many shots, he should take fewer and just focus on “D.”

The total went over in Game 1, as it has in eight of the last 10 games between Los Angeles and New Orleans. BetUS has set the total for Wednesday’s game at 187.5 points.

Point Spread Pick

Take New Orleans +12 at 5Dimes.com and get reduced juice every day!