NBA Betting Preview: Cavaliers And Lakers Receive Wake Up Calls

Not many analysts, if any, believed that either Cleveland or Los Angeles would lose their first round series against Chicago and Oklahoma City, respectively. After going up 2-0, both teams looked poised for series sweeps.

On Thursday, however, the Cavaliers and Lakers received wake up calls from the Bulls and Thunder. The two lower seeds gained energy from their home crowds for the first time in the series', and stole games against the NBA Finals favorites.

The Cavaliers and Lakers followed a similar pattern in their losses. They both started strong, had the lead for much of the game, and watched as their opponents came on with a vengeance in the final eight minutes of the game.

The outcome of Thursday's games will not likely alter the fate of the Cavs and Lakers. The two teams need only to regain their composure and win in game four to take a commanding 3-1 lead going back home.

If, however, the Bulls or Thunder are able to win game three, then the top seeded teams could end up with a seven game series. Neither Cleveland or L.A. is looking to go deep into a series in the first round of the playoffs, especially not with teams like Boston and Denver possibly waiting in the second round.

Cleveland had looked dominant against Chicago in the first two games, but once again are relying heavily on LeBron James. It is a script that was written in last year's playoffs when other players failed to step up for the Cavaliers. it eventually led them to a conference finals loss to Orlando.

The Lakers, on the other hand, have not played consistently good basketball since before the All-Star break. Kobe Bryant is banged up, and it is becoming more evident with every passing game that Bryant's shot is being affected by a broken finger. The Lakers did get Andrew Bynum back, and his presence was felt inside during the Lakers two wins in L.A.

April 23, 2010
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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