Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick: Lakers +8 -110 odds (May 16th 2012)

The Thunder made the Lakers look foolish in Game 1 of this Western Conference Semifinals matchup on Monday. But time and time again we saw the schizophrenic Lakers bounce back in their series against Denver when it looked like they were down for the count. We think that they will bounce back again tonight and play much better here in Game 2. The Game 1 loss was the worst for the Lakers this season and we think the public is overreacting to that result, which is why we are getting an even better number in Game 2 than was offered in Game 1 for the Lakers. Normally in Game 2 like this the team that lost would be given a little more credit from the oddsmakers in an obvious bounce-back situation. Kendrick Perkins injured his hip in Game 1 and is considered a game-time decision on Wednesday. If he is missing or limited the Lakers have a big advantage down low with Bynum and Gasol that they should be able to exploit. We think the Thunder played a near-perfect game in Game 1 and we just don’t see them putting up a similar effort in Game 2. The Thunder led the NBA in turnovers this season yet committed only four in the Game 1 win. Despite the Game 1 result we still think the bookies should have posted a lower line on this Game 2 since the Lakers are facing a real critical game tonight, especially with back-to-back games in LA coming up. -Doc’s Sports