The set-up: The Lakers come in off a big 113-110 road win over Miami, handing the Heat their first loss of the year. The Lakers have the best record in the NBA, but with a game at Indiana, followed by a tilt at Milwaukee, then at home to Denver before their X-Mas Day matchup at home vs. the Clippers, would anyone fault the visitors in some small way "looking past" their lowly opponent today? Note that this is a "revenge" game as well for ATL after it fell 122-101 in LA on November 19th as a 15 point underdog.

The pick: The Hawks can't look ahead or look past anyone on any given night with their 6-20 record. ATL has lost three straight, but note that it's 8-2 ATS in its last ten after three straight losses by ten points or more (and that includes going 2-0 ATS this year.) LA on the other hand is a poor 2-6 ATS in its last eight as a road favorite in the 6.5 to 12 points range (including only 1-3 ATS this season.) Grab the points, expect a comfortable cover.

10* PLAY-BOOK on the Atlanta Hawks.