Jazz/Lakers tonight first b to b to b They've talked about the scheduling and as early as we possibly can we have the first back to back to back game with the Lakers hosting Utah. No movement on it that I've seen as Utah was +4 or +4.5 to start. I think it would be useful to figure out the "penalty" the Lakers have in this line for being in this situation which hasn't occurred ever (at least that I know of but I haven't researched the issue).
If this was a normal game what is the line? Both teams rested and assuming it was the opening game of the year.
Maybe Lakers -9? I'm just throwing that out there.
Lakers lose but they were a dog and actually covered but melted down late vs. Chicago. The scenario is that both teams Lakers and Utah are rested but you get the benefit of the Bulls game to see the Lakers as information? Lakers-8.5?
Now you see the Sacramento game and Sacramento is too fast. Lakers are on a back to back. Gasol sucked again. Fisher clearly not in gear. 4th quarter nothing special. Almost time to do a power rating update.
Now you have the benefit of 2 games to see the Lakers but imagine Lakers vs. Utah and both teams rested. What is the new line? Lakers -7.5? Lakers -7? OR do we leave it as Lakers -8 despite the negative information because they've lost both games and we expect a strong game from them tonight (assuming they're rested)?
Let's assume the Lakers are on back to back and we have the benefit of the information of both games but let's just say the scenario is back to back where they played Sac on the road and are hosting Utah tonight. What is the line now? Lakers -7? Are we under -7 if we don't assume any positives to their situation from losing 2 games in a row which is countered by some fear that their power rating is way too high anyway after seeing both games.
And finally we have the back to back to back...double unrested....vs. rested. The actual line is Lakers -4.5 to -5.
The linesmakers IMO have at least 1 pt. in for this situation perhaps a little more. I have no idea what the play is but here are ideas:
(1) Lakers would be -8 or 9 vs. Utah unrested. If you liked the Lakers 1st game and figured Sacramento would be tough perhaps even adjusting for double unrested you would still get Lakers -5.5 or -6. And you've got the Lakers at least in a situation where they don't want to lose 3 in a row.
(2) After seeing the first 2 games, the Lakers injuries and age, Gasol slow start, I'm already taking down their power ratings make them -7 vs. Utah rested. Maybe -6 unrested. Double unrest? Add another point to make it -5? Or do you subtract far more from that and assume that the Lakers will have absolutely nothing to offer in this game vs. Utah. I'm just throwing it out there. That the double unrest is like an exponential penalty of some sort on the line and this game should be far less like Lakers -3? Or Utah -10? I don't know.
I'd be interested in comments as sharp bettors will be monitoring these situations as they develop during the year and it would be nice to get a head start on what might be good ideas and at least find out what the oddsmakers have started out as the penalty at least for double unrest.
