NBA Odds: Finals Rematch as Lakers Visit Magic

Kobe probably doesn't remember when his team last lost 3 in a row. (AP Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are probably thrilled to see the Orlando Magic on Sunday instead of the Charlotte Bobcats. That might sound odd considering the Magic are a championship contender and the Bobcats are below .500, but Charlotte really seems to have the Lakers’ number as the Bobcats beat them 98-83 on Friday night for their seventh win in the past nine meetings with L.A.   The Lakers have lost two straight overall and are 3-point dogs for Sunday’s NBA Finals rematch with Orlando on Bodog’s NBA odds.

Friday’s loss was probably L.A. second-worst effort of the season as the Lakers lost their 12th road game (11-17-1 ATS) to match last year’s total. Both Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are in a bit of a funk right now, with Kobe averaging just 24.4 ppg in the past five while shooting barely above 40 percent from the field and just 2-for-18 from the three-point line. Gasol is at 14.6 ppg and 46.3 percent from the field in the past five, both well down from his season averages. After Friday’s loss, coach Phil Jackson said Gasol has been "weak and sickly" of late. Of course L.A. beat the Magic in five games in last year’s Finals, and the Lakers also beat Orlando 98-92 in Los Angeles back on Jan. 18. Kobe had just 11 points in that one.

Orlando has won four in a row (3-1 ATS) and has the NBA’s third-best record. But the Magic bench is nothing special, and that unit was outscored by the Lakers 42-15 in the first meeting this season. Star Dwight Howard had 24 points in the first meeting with the Lakers but just one field goal after halftime. L.A. is one of the few teams capable of dealing with Howard because the Lakers have so many big men. Since losing to the Lakers, Orlando is 17-5.

When making your NBA bet on this game, be aware that the Lakers have not lost three straight games since acquiring Gasol in 2008. However, L.A. has covered just once in its past nine games and is 0-5 ATS in its past five as a dog.

Get your NBA odds and props at Bodog