NBA Thursday [B]701 L.A. Lakers -1[/B]
You could say that right now these two teams are going in opposite directions, but to this handicapper it is more than that.
Miami on a bad skid of L5 straight and 0-7 ATS, but what is more noticeable is the lack of hustle and effort especially on defense. Sure, the Heat have lost to good teams -- Portland, Chicago, Spurs etc..but last game against Portland they tied the game up in the 4th and each and every time Portland with a little passing and ball movement easily scored again. Offenses are licking their chops at the sight of Bibby or Mike Miller on the floor, they play weak defense. Then there is all the crying from Chris Bosh. and....[I]Media rumors are rampant that Spoelstra will be replaced by Riley as the Heat veer off course.[/I]
Last week, six days ago, at San Antonio, Miami lost by 30, 95-125, two days later the Lakers go into San Antonio and beat them by 16, 99-83! Talk about a common team denominator reference!
The Lakers with Andrew Bynum healthy are a different team, a major force and now Kobe and Gasol can free wheel. We are expecting revenge here from the Christmas Day game where Miami embarrassed the Lakers 96-80. Miami would have to play their best game in weeks to beat this Laker team and I don't see it happening tonight.
