THE HOT CORNER
[MATT YOUMANS Review-Journal, 30-29-2 (overall record)]
Today’s best bet: LOS ANGELES LAKERS (-8) over Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are not a typical No. 8 seed in the playoffs because they won 50 games and are led by two superb scorers in Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. But they play no defense. The Lakers averaged 118 points while sweeping the three-game regular-season series. The total is 224, so expect a high-scoring game that should be controlled by Kobe Bryant, the NBA’s best all-around player.