The Dallas Mavericks visit the Los Angeles Lakers in a key Western Conference matchup. Dallas has won three straight games, six of their last 10 and has moved into sixth place in the playoff race out West. They currently trail fifth place Memphis by just one and a half games.
The Lakers have also won three straight and 7 of ten. Los Angeles qualified for the playoffs Saturday night with a victory over the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are currently in third place in the playoff race one game in front of the fourth place Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers have played the last four games without high scorer Kobe Bryant and he will miss today’s game as well with a shin injury.
The teams have split their last 10 games head to head 5-5 SU. The total for those same 10 games has ended OVER on 7 occasions and UNDER on 3. Thus far this season, the Lakers are 3-0 SU against the Mavericks. The Lakers have also won two of the three games ATS. The line opened with the Lakers as a 3 ½-point favorites but has since pulled back to 2 points. The total is sitting at 189. Smart money takes the Mavericks plus the points to take advantage of Bryant’s absence. The total will pay out to those taking the UNDER.
The lowly Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic in a key game for the Magic. Orlando has lost two straight and has fallen to sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Magic have won only three of their last 10 games and are in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff picture if they continue losing.
Orlando has had to play its last four games without leading scorer and rebounder Dwight Howard who has a back injury. Howard will miss tonight’s matchup. The Cavaliers will not go to the post season as they are in 13th place in the playoff race, 10 games behind the eighth place Philadelphia 76ers. Orlando will be going for its ninth consecutive win over Cleveland.
The line for the game opened with the Magic favored by 5 but is currently 6 points. The total is 190 ½. The Magic may prevail SU in this matchup, but smart money takes the Cavaliers plus the points. The total will finish UNDER.
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