New Orleans at Los Angeles

The Lakers have become a team that paces themselves during the regular season. They have the experience on the floor to manage to “throw the switch” when they need to step-up their game. It is reflected in their overall record. They are certainly capable of winning 60+ games, but they choose to save some energy for the postseason. The Lakers were 27-12 straight-up vs. winning teams this season, and got the money with a 23-16 ATS mark as well. New Orleans had two huge winning streaks that defined their season. The before and after was ordinary at best. Teams in the playoffs as a double-digit favorite have proven to get the money 62% of the time as the "A" game steps onto the floor. I like the Lakers in this one, facing a New Orleans team that is 9-8 ATS in their last eight playoff games as a 5-10.5 point dog. The Lakers show that when they need to win, they turn up the offense a notch as they closed the season scoring 100+ in six of their last seven wins. As a well rested team of three days or more, the Lake Show has topped the total at an 8-2 clip in their last 10. These clubs have topped the total to a 9-3 mark in their last 12 in LA. Lay the points and play the Lakers, as well as the OVER.