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Amnesty Kobe? Maybe Not, Mark Cuban

Lucas M. Blog

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban learned on Sunday that it’s never a good idea to talk crap about Kobe Bryant. He’d floated the idea earlier in the week that the Lakers could amnesty Kobe in order to clear cap room, and the Lakers played like they took the suggestion seriously – and were seriously offended. The Lakers took down the Mavericks 103-99 on Sunday behind a vintage Kobe Bryant performance, who scored 38 points and notched 12 rebounds and seven assists.

It wasn’t just the raw numbers that stood out for Kobe, but the efficiency. He shot 13 for 21 and made four three pointers out of five attempts. The Mavericks were three point favorites heading into the game, though Kobe showed up with a fire in his belly and set out to prove something. Here were a few of the betting trends for both teams heading into the game:

Los Angeles odds trends

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
  • LA Lakers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games
  • LA Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
  • LA Lakers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games on the road
  • LA Lakers are 4-10 SU in their last 14 games on the road
  • LA Lakers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Dallas
  • LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Dallas
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
  • LA Lakers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas

Dallas odds trends

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas’s last 6 games
  • Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas’s last 8 games at home
  • Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas’s last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
  • Dallas is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
  • Dallas is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
  • Dallas is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
  • Dallas is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

Here were Cuban’s comments on Kobe’s amnesty in full:

“If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?” Cuban said to a local Dallas radio show. “You just don’t know, right? It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk (Nowitzki). I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That’s just it. I’ve made that commitment to him over the years, and he’s returned that commitment. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s just the way it is. So I’m just saying that hypothetically. When I say, ‘Amnesty Kobe’, I don’t think they’d do it, but they’ve got some choices to make. Now, they’re in a big market, but they’re still limited. The Knicks, the same thing. Boston, same thing.”

After the game, Kobe tweeted simply “Amnesty THAT.” Bryant may be getting up there in years, but he illustrated why on Sunday he’s still a legitimate MVP candidate. Other owners, take note: don’t poke sleeping giants, especially when said giant is a future hall of famer.

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