Free NBA Basketball Picks for Christmas Day: Cleveland @ Los Angeles Lakers

Added on Dec 24, 2009 by Jack Thurman in

After taking Chrismas Eve off, basketball sports betting resumes on Christmas Day highlighted by a nationally televised game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup features two of the NBA’s biggest stars as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant tangle, and offers the subplot of Shaquille O’Neal’s return to the Staples Center. The early sportsbook line on the game has the Lakers as a -5 home favorite with the total set at 194.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
December 25, 2:00 PM Pacific

What the NBA is hoping to be a preview of this year’s Championship Finals sets up much better for the Lakers than the Cavs. The Lakers will enter the game well rested, with two full days to prepare. They’re clearly putting a big emphasis on this game, as evidenced by their substandard effort against Oklahoma City on Tuesday night in a classic ‘lookahead’ spot. This will be the Cavs fourth road game in six days, and the schedule could take its toll on their big man in the middle.

One of the most impressive things about the Lakers this year is the way that Kobe Bryant is getting the rest of the team involved in the offense. He’ll still take over games when necessary, but has received great support from Pau Gasol (who just signed a contract extension), Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Cleveland simply doesn’t have the offensive weapons to matchup with Los Angeles, forcing LeBron James to do everything himself. The Lakers played Cleveland twice last year, winning both games by double digits. Los Angeles is actually a better team this year, and Cleveland may not be as good. Lakers make a statement here, winning by double digits before a nationwide TV audience.

Bet Los Angeles -5 over Cleveland