Gamblers have been absolutely feasting on winners by riding the Lakers so far in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Bettors get another chance to back this money-making machine when Los Angeles (62-25 straight up, 52-33 against the spread) plays host to the Jazz on Wednesday night in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals matchup.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened L.A. as a 7 ½-point favorite with a total of 210 ½. As of Tuesday evening, most spots had the Lakers at 6 ½ with a 209 ½-point tally. Utah (58-31 SU, 49-40 ATS) is plus 250 on the money line (risk $100 to win $250).

LVSC has adjusted the series price with the Lakers now minus 900 to advance to the West finals. The Jazz are plus 600 on the comeback.

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Phil Jackson’s team is unbeaten both SU and ATS through five post-season games. The Lakers captured a 109-98 win over Utah in Game 1, taking the cash as eight-point ‘chalk.’

Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 38 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds. Bryant drained 21-of-23 shots from the charity stripe and 8-of-16 from the floor. Pau Gasol added 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocked shots. Lamar Odom chipped in with 16 points and nine boards.

Mehmet Okur paced six double-figure scorers for Utah, finishing with 21 points and 19 rebounds. Deron Williams nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, nine boards and nine assists, but he made just 5-of-18 attempts from the field. Carlos Boozer had 15 points and 14 rebounds in the losing effort, but he also fouled out and committed seven turnovers.

The 207 combined points fell ‘under’ the 212 ½-point total. However, bettors who took the ‘over’ in the second half were able to cash an extremely fortunate cover. For those same gamblers who had the ‘under’ for the game, a beautiful middle (or ‘hedge’) came through.

With L.A. leading 54-41 at intermission, oddsmakers made the second-half total 108 ½, equating to 203 ½ for the game (108.5+95). Gamblers that played the ‘under’ at halftime appeared to be looking good until a slew of meaningless fouls resulted in 19 points scored in the last 96 seconds.

Los Angeles has won four of five head-to-head meetings (both SU and ATS) against Utah this year. The Lakers have taken all three encounters at Staples Center by double-digit margins (119-109, 123-109 and 109-98).

The ‘over’ is 3-2 in the five head-to-head meetings, 2-1 at Staples. With that said, the Lakes have seen four consecutive ‘unders’ in these playoffs.

The ‘over’ is 22-21 for the Lakers at home this year, 23-21 for the Jazz on the road.

After Jerry Sloan’s team won both Games 1 and 2 at Houston in the first round, it has dropped back-to-back road assignments. The first was a 95-69 defeat against the Rockets in Game 5 of their series.

On the other hand, the Lakers haven’t tasted a home loss since March 28 when the Grizzlies pulled a shocking upset. Since then, L.A. has won nine straight at Staples. The Lakers have taken the money in five consecutive home outings.

For the season, Utah is 19-26 both SU and ATS on the road. Meanwhile, L.A. is 33-11 SU and 23-20 ATS at home.

TNT will provide television coverage of Game 2 at 10:35 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Here’s a stat that doesn’t bode well for the Jazz: Phil Jackson’s teams are 39-0 in playoff series after winning Game 1.

--Utah was just 4-for-19 from 3-point range in Game 1, while the Lakers buried 5-of-10 from beyond the arc.

--According to today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hawks General Manager Billy Knight will resign, effective July 1. That most likely means that head coach Mike Woodson will be retained. As for the players, Josh Childress and Josh Smith are both restricted free agents who will have plenty of suitors. However, the Hawks have the right to match any contract they might sign with another squad.

--I'm on a 5-2 run (+350) in the NBA with both sides pending in tonight's pick pack. Also, I went 3-0 in baseball last night and have four plays pending tonight.

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.