The big news is that Kobe Bryant will be named NBA MVP.  New Orleans' Chris Paul wasn't even close in the ballot to win the award.  I think Paul is the real NBA MVP.  He is the first guy in 15 year to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he led the league is steals.  Kobe got a lifetime achievement award with this NBA MVP.  Paul turned this basketball franchise around.  Nobody talks about the Hornets leaving town anymore. He saved the franchise while Mr. Kobe whined and complained for two months in what seemed to be an effort to anger the fan-base.  How many MVPs have demanded to be traded and thrown their best young player under the bus?  The oddsmakers at sportsbetting.com currently have the San Antonio Spurs +2.5 Underdogs to New Orleans heading into this NBA Playoff betting matchup.

 

The Hornets are a well coached team.  In Game 1, the Spurs had control of the game throughout the first half and Scott made the necessary adjustments in the second half to turn the tide.  New Orleans won the first game 101-82.  David West scored a career playoff-high 30 points.  Tim Duncan had one of the worst games of his career, playoff-low five points and only three rebounds.

 

If the Spurs play for 48 minutes on Monday the should head home 1-1.  I certainly can't imagine Duncan having another horrible performance like the last.  The Spurs need to start rotating players on and off Chris Paul often so they make him begin to guess what they are scheming.  I was surprised to see Byron Scott leave Paul in the game with three minutes to go in a blow out.  I think he just left him in to get a bunch of stats.

 

Here is some Trends for this NBA Matchup: San Antonio: Over is 6-2-1 in SA last 9 overall.  Over is 6-2-1 in SA last 9 vs. Western Conference.  New Orleans: NO are 22-7 ATS in their last 29 home games.  NO are 42-20-1 ATS in their last 63 games overall.

 

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