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Those doing sports betting should know that the Los Angeles Lakers can move a game closer to clinching the Western Conference, and home-court advantage, with a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Having lost two of three coming off a seven-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Lakers are stumbling however they have enough veteran leadership to get back on track in a hurry. Atlanta is fighting for third spot in the East with the Boston Celtics and could use a big win.

Primetime Performers

Los Angeles Lakers: With March Madness Odds awaiting Saturday games, a man who skipped college all-together will lead the Lakers into Atlanta. Kobe Bryant is the heart and soul of this Lakers team averaging over 27, 5 and 5 this year. Having scored 41 and bringing down eight rebounds in the only meeting between the teams in early November, he should be able to continue his hot scoring after scoring 31 against New Orleans following games of 11 and 17 last week.

Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson will head up a very athletic Atlanta attack that feasts on the fast-break and gets after loose balls and rebound. Scoring over 21 points a game and averaging nearly five rebounds and assists a game the 6″7” guard is capable of hurting teams in many different ways. He will need all his wiles in this game as he is going up against a seven-time all-defensive team member in Bryant who he was able to burn for 27 points in their last meeting

X-Factors

Lakers: Sportsbook experts know that Pau Gasol will have to bring one of his better games against an undersized Josh Smith. While Smith is very athletic, he cannot match the size of the Spanish seven-footer. Gasol should be able to dominate in the paint and after a huge 26-point, 22-rebound game against New Orleans on Monday, he should continue his strong numbers against the team that drafted him back in 2001.

Hawks: Al Horford will be called upon to have a huge game as he is the center of Atlanta”s defence. Standing just 6″10”, he might get lost among the Laker”s two seven-footers; Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Only averaging 14.3 points a game he is not much of an offensive danger however with 9.7 boards and solid defence, he will be counted on to limit the inside damage as the Hawks come in as a much smaller team.

The Matchup

An online betting handicapper will look at Atlanta winning eight of its last twelve and wonder if it is as good as it”s third place ranking in the East however the Hawks have not lost at home since February 26; a stretch of eight games. The Lakers will bring one of the league”s best road records into Georgia as they are 22-14 away from the Staple Center. After winning the first meeting 118-110, without the help of Gasol, L.A. should take the season series with a win on Wednesday.

Pick: Lakers

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