Despite the Dallas Mavericks coming into the NBA Playoffs having an identical record with the Los Angeles Lakers at 57-25, the Vegas Oddsmakers had Kobe Bryant and company -400 to win the series (Mavericks in the underdog role at +330). After Dirk Nowitzki put up 24 points last night in a 93-81 road win, the Mavericks are now favored to move on to the next round by Vegas at -270 (Lakers flip flop to the dog at +230). So after losing Wednesday night at home, can the Lakers rebound and become only the 15th team in NBA Playoff history to come back from being down 0-2?
219-14 (94%). That is the overall outcome in NBA history for the team up 2-0 in a best of seven playoff matchup. 94-5 (95%). That is the overall outcome in NBA history for the team up 2-0 in this specific round in a best of seven playoff matchup. In franchise history, the Lakers have dropped the first two games nineteen times and have only came back to win the series once (1969 in the Western Conference Semi-Finals). If you look at the past to predict the future, the Dallas Mavericks have history on their side to upset the Los Angeles Lakers and move on. Game #3 on Friday opened up with Dallas favored by -1.0 and has been already been bet up to -2.0.
So tossing out opinion you have history, math, Las Vegas and even Magic Johnson (Tweeted: The
Mavs have the Lakers pointing fingers at one another. It's going to be a
tough climb to come back and I think their chances are slim) all backing the Dallas Mavericks. If you toss in the fact Ron Artest could be suspended for game #3, the Los Angeles defense is unable to stop Dirk Nowitzki and the Lakers team in total disarray it would seem taking the Mavericks -270 to win the series and end the Laker's era is a pretty safe bet.
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