Daily Market Trends: Kobe Bryant Opens Series at Home; Ben Sheets Gets Steamed

5/21/2008 6:00pm EST

Moving Today's Market

It's all about the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in dusty 'ol San Antonio.

Once again, the methodical, technical professionalism of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, et al, prevailed over the much younger, much less methodical, much less technically proficient New Orleans Hornets. Maybe next year for the boys from the Emerald City.

Facing their toughest test to date, Kobe and his Hollywood cohorts open the series at home.

Oddsmakers are giving their props to the Spurs, who dispatched the Hornets on the Hornets home court—something almost no playoff team this season has been able to accomplish in any game, let alone a decisive Game Seven.

The Spurs have moved from an open of –7 to a current handicap of –7.5. As we saw with the Cavaliers, superstars alone can keep these games close, and Kobe is even better than King James.

Add to the mix an inspired Lamar Odom, and Mitch Kupchak's mid-season theft of Pau Gasol, and this team is formidable.

Not, however, "the best Laker team ever," as suggested—then recanted—by Charles Barkley. Perhaps he was too young (or too busy gambling) to remember Kareem, Magic and Worthy.

Key Injury Updates

There are no key injury updates to report.

Key Market Moves

Game 953 Brewers @ Pirates

Ben Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers caught the attention of some big money players earlier in the day. The Brewers were on the receiving end of three Steam Moves at high percentage books to win this clash with Ian Snell and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sheets can be overpowering at times, but is also vulnerable to the long ball, late game meltdowns and injury.

Today’s Best Bets

Check out today’s Best Bets! 

Tomorrow's Market Move

The Pistons try to pick up a win on the road in the second game of their Eastern Conference Finals at Boston.