OFFICIAL PLAY

ATS - LAKERS -3.5 (x1.5)

On the Lakers here in this one. They are playing the first of a long road trip, starting in New Orleans. They will be keen to get the trip off to a good start. On the back of their 1pt loss @ home to the Spurs I feel the Hornets may get a Lakers team out for some revenge. LA has beaten New Orleans twice this season already, quite comfortably, I expect this trend to continue. The Hornets are without big man Okafor and small forward Ariza. This is not the team you want to play without these guys. Ariza is the perfect match up for Kobe and without Okafor, the Hornets are seriously undersized against Bynum, Gasol, and Odom. Huge advantage LA. The Lakers have been in somewhat of a slump by their high standards, so a trip away from the spotlight in LA is just what the doctor ordered. LAKERS WIN WELL!

(1.65 @ 1.91 @ Sportingbet)