People Love The Christmas Holidays.

People also love their birthdays (until they reach a certain age of course.)

2007-01-31

People love the Christmas holidays. People also love their birthdays (until they reach a certain age of course.) Why is that? What do they have in common? That’s right. In both of these events, you get gifts. In the gambling world, gifts don’t come often, but when they do, they are to be cherished and celebrated.

Last night the Lakers were in town to take on the Knicks. Surprisingly, the Knicks were 1.5 point favorites in this game, despite the fact their record was 9 games below .500 and the Lakers are a playoff team with one of the most dynamic players in the NBA in Kobe Bryant. Mind you the Lakers torched the Knicks by 33 at the Garden last year.

Forget all of that, forget the stats and won-loss records. Last night, I had a guy feeling about my Knicks. I felt they were going to win outright and as a result, my money was on them to win and cover. Then, just a few minutes before tip-off, I heard some wonderful news. Because of an elbow he threw at the Spurs Manu Ginobili on Sunday, Kobe was suspended by the NBA for this game. Now my only regret was not putting even more money on the Knicks.

The Knicks got off to a fast start and took a quick 10 point lead, early in the first quarter. The Lakers rallied however and pulled even before long. After one though, the Knicks led by 5. The 2nd quarter was very tight and the teams traded blow after blow until they reached halftime with the Knicks up by 2. The third quarter was all Knicks as they built up an 8 point lead, led by the inside out combination of Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury/Jamal Crawford.

But in the end, the Knicks held off a late rally, handing the Lakers their season-high third straight loss with a 99-94 victory making me a winner in the process.

Eddy Curry had 27 points and nine rebounds and Stephon Marbury scored 22 points for the Knicks, who led most of the game but never pulled away. David Lee grabbed 13 rebounds and Jamal Crawford added 17 points.

Lamar Odom had 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Lakers. Vladimir Radmanovic added 18 points and nine boards and Smush Parker scored 14 points.

The Lakers trailed by seven with 1½ minutes remaining, but closed to 96-94 on Radmanovic's 3-pointer with 45 seconds left. Curry made two free throws 10 seconds later, and after Maurice Evans' 3-pointer rattled out, Los Angeles got the ball back after Crawford turned it over. However, Jared Jeffries blocked Brian Cook's 3-point attempt and New York put it away at the foul line.

So this was my gift from NBA commissioner David Stern. All of us Knicks fans salute you sir.

Till next time, may all your bets be winners.

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