Bryant reaches 23,000 career points in win over Thunder

Basketball Betting Lines

02/11/2009 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in league history to reach the 23,000-point plateau, all part of a 34-point, seven-rebound performance, as the Lakers used a workmanlike effort to down hapless Oklahoma City, 105-98.

Bryant reached 23,000 points with 5:13 left in the second quarter, becoming the youngest player to reach the mark by five days over Wilt Chamberlain. In Chamberlain's defense, he played four years at Kansas while Bryant jumped to the NBA right out of high school.

Pau Gasol added 22 points with 14 rebounds and Lamar Odom added 12 points for the red-hot Lakers, winners in seven straight and 11 of 12. Adam Morrison, acquired in a Saturday trade with Charlotte, did not play.

"I'm afraid our guys thought they had done their job they had to do in the first half and came out the second half and didn't play with the same energy and let them back in the ball game," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "I thought out play was a little bit sloppy tonight. It wasn't as crisp as it was on the road."

Kevin Durant poured in 31 points with 10 boards, Russell Westbrook returned to his stomping grounds (he played collegiately at UCLA) with 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Jeff Green added 16 points and eight boards. The Thunder saw their modest two-game winning streak come to an end.

"We had a great effort, but when you play the Lakers it has to be a flawless effort," said coach Scott Brooks. "We gave them too many offensive rebounds. That's something we have to address. We moved the ball well, but that's the best team in basketball."

The teams played to a 25-25 tie after one stanza before the Lakers seized control in the second period. After Joe Smith's jumper handed the Thunder a 43-41 lead, the Lakers reeled off 11 points in succession to take a double- digit edge. Bryant's two free throws started the stretch, and Gasol's tip-in off Bryant's missed bank shot gave Los Angeles a 52-43 advantage.

Back-to-back inside buckets by Odom and Bryant capped the first-half scoring for a 60-47 lead after 24 minutes of action.

New Orleans rallied to pull within 78-73 late in the third stanza on successive Durant baskets on the fastbreak, and Los Angeles added a bucket to extend its lead after three quarters.

Durant willed the Thunder back into the contest late, as the lanky scoring machine drained two free throws after attacking the rim then buried a jumper for a 101-93 deficit with 2:13 to go. Odom rimmed out a three on the other end, and New Orleans had a chance to make it a two-possession game. Durant drew multiple defenders and dished the basketball to an open Kyle Weaver, but he misfired from long distance.

Bryant and Durant exchanged a pair of free throws, putting Durant past 30 points for the fifth consecutive game. New Orleans failed to score on back-to- back possessions, committing a pair of costly turnovers to loss its chance at a comeback.

Game Notes

The Lakers improved to 24-4 at home, while the Thunder dropped to a measly 3-21 away from New Orleans...Los Angeles shot 45.5 percent from the floor, but made just 5-of-20 three-pointers...Jordan Farmar scored nine points with five assists for the Lakers...Weaver donated 11 points in defeat.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.