Lakers Look To Bust Slump At Knicks On Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 12/13/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: New York -7, O/U 207½
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Television: TNT

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers (9-13 straight-up and against the spread) fall into the abyss continued Tuesday with a 100-94 loss at Cleveland as 6½-point chalk. The preseason Western Conference favorites have now lost three straight and five of six. Big man Pau Gasol (knee) is needed to return after missing five games, but he’s listed as doubtful on the Don Best NBA injury report.

New York Knicks: The Knicks (16-5 SU, 13-8 against the spread) are the Lakers nightmare opponent at 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony looks completely healed from his finger injury after dropping 45 points at rival Brooklyn on Tuesday en route to a 100-97 win. The "over" cashed on the 195½-point total and is 5-1-1 in New York’s last seven, as the team is averaging 103.3 points per game. New York is 1-4 SU and ATS the last five against L.A. even after winning as a home ‘dog most recently in February. The "under" is 4-0 in the last four head-to-head matchups.

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 12/13/2012 at 10:30 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: San Antonio -7, O/U 202
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Television: TNT

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs (18-5 SU, 15-7-1 ATS) will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after losing 99-96 at Utah on Wednesday. Coach Gregg Popovich sometimes rests his star players in these situations, getting fined $250,000 by the league after doing just that two weeks ago at Miami. Regardless, San Antonio is 4-0-1 ATS in that situation this season and has won five straight overall to go along with playing very well on the road (11-3 SU, 10-4 ATS) all year. The "over" is 8-1 in its last nine away, as the team is averaging nearly 114 ppg.

Portland Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers (9-12 SU, 8-12-1 ATS) are coming off a 92-74 Monday home win over Toronto as 2 ½-point favorites. They’re 5-4 SU and 4-4-1 ATS at home compared to 4-8 SU and ATS away. Injuries could be key with Nicolas Batum (back) questionable and Wesley Matthews (hip) doubtful after both missing last game. The favorite is 4-0 in the last four meetings between Portland and San Antonio. The "over" is 5-1 in the last six.

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