You are here
NBA Betting: Lakers Rip Shaq-Less Heat
Kobe Bryant's 33 points led the Lakers to victory. (AP Images)
When the NBA schedule was announced prior to the season this game was highlighted for another matchup between ex-teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. But after midseason moves, including a stunning deal that sent the Diesel to Phoenix on Wednesday, the Heat vs. Lakers contest became a curiosity for another reason.
Miami fans wanted to see how newly acquired Shawn Marion would fare while Lakers backers hoped to see more of the scintillating Kobe Bryant-Pau Gasol Show.
Bryant and the Lakers kept up their winning ways with a 104-94 win in Miami. Behind 33 points from Bryant, 15 from Lamar Odom and 12 from Gasol, Los Angeles covered the point spread, which favored them by eight on the road.
The Heat, playing their first home game without O’Neal, lost their seventh straight. They’ve also dropped 22 of 23 and have yet to win in 2008. Marion was a bright spot, scoring 15 points and totaling 14 rebounds. Mark Blount had a team-high 22 points and Dwyane Wade added 19.
The Lakers used a 16-2 run in the second half to pull away.
In other notable NBA action:
Boston 98, San Antonio 90: In a potential NBA Finals matchup, the Celtics topped the defending champion Spurs without Kevin Garnett (abdominal injury). The Celtics’ other starters upped their game, led by Paul Pierce’s 35 points at home. Ray Allen had 19 and point guard Rajon Rondo did the little things needed, posting 12 assists and 11 rebounds. Boston won its third straight game and improved to 16-0 against the West. Because of Garnett’s injury, the Spurs were favored by two against the point spread. But couldn’t take advantage of the undermanned Celtics despite a superb game from Tim Duncan (22 points, 14 rebounds).