Friday NBA Picks – Can Kobe Save the Lakers?

Hoop Hopes – Ricky Rothstein makes his picks for tonight’s NBA action!

LA Lakers at Oklahoma City
Kobe may be back in purple and gold but the LA Lakers are looking at their third straight loss when they visit Oklahoma City tonight. Kobe has looked as rusty as you would expect from such a long layoff and – let’s be honest – a body with so many miles on the clock, but now he workload has got even heavier. Steve Blake, filling in at point guard in the absence of Steve Nash, is on the inactive list for the next six weeks after injuring his elbow, so that means Kobe will have to fill in at point guard for some of the games. Not easy.

The Lakers are huge, double-digit underdogs tonight at OKC. The Thunder generally raise their game for the Lakers, and they’re 10-0 straight up on their home court. Thirteen is a big number to cover but looking at the lineups, the Thunder are brimming with points while the Lakers’ stock is very, very low. Nature will take its course.
Hoop Hope 1 | Oklahoma City -13.0

Minnesota at San Antonio
Minnesota will find out just where it stands as regards the League’s elite when it visits San Antonio tonight. Over the past ten years, the Lakers, Pistons, Mavs and Heat have had their moments, but the Spurs have been more consistently good than anyone for over a decade. All they do is win.

What the Spurs aren’t so good at doing is covering. San Antonio is in such control of its power and has so much experience that the Spurs know how to pace themselves to do enough to win but no more, knowing that they need to save their energy for later challenges. They’ll win tonight, but not by ten points.
Hoop Hope 2 |Minnesota +10.0

Houston at Golden State
Golden State got hammered into the hardwood when the Warriors visited Houston last week, getting beaten 105-83. One week later, the Rockets visit Golden State itself and the Warriors want revenge. Whatever happens, it’ll be score-a-rama at the ORACLE Arena and the over is the way to go here.
Hoop Hope 3 | Over 210.5

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