Bresnahan’s takes: Taking a gamble on Andrew Bynum

Mike Bresnahan covers the Lakers for The Times and ties up loose ends before all their playoff games. The Lakers lead Denver in the first round, 1-0.

It’s almost impossible to track down an over-under betting line for blocked shots in a game unless it’s the NBA Finals.

That’s too bad.

So I tried to get one established on Andrew Bynum for Game 2. Even called someone I thought could help.

“We don’t hang a bunch of props until we get down to the Finals,” said Jay Rood, race and sports book director for MGM Mirage.

He must have felt sorry for me. That’s nothing new. He was eventually able to help.

“Based on the fact Bynum got 10 on Sunday and his average this season is about two, the logical thing is three or four to get some action because people like to bet what they just saw,” Rood said.

I’ll take the over. Put Bynum down for five blocked shots in Game 2.

Q&A of the day

Q: Thank you very much Mr. Bresnahan for having the courtesy to at least mention that blocks were unofficial [stats] until the 1973-74 season.

However, in case you are interested, I believe I can tell you the last time Wilt Chamberlain had a 10-block playoff triple-double: 4/8/73, Western Conference semifinals vs. Chicago: 11 points, 30 rebounds, 12 blocked shots.

— Matthew S.

A: I hope Elias Sports Bureau is hiring — Matthew needs a job. And a social life.

Final thought

What’s to like about the Nuggets other than George Karl’s insinuation that the refs missed a bunch of the Lakers’ alleged illegal defenses in Game 1?

It reminded me of something Phil Jackson would do. (Sigh.) He was a reporter’s dream.

Jackson’s desire to tweak David Stern, Mark Cuban and everybody short of the pope was manna for media members who gleefully wrote whatever zing he would sling.

Today’s pick is in honor of him: Lakers will win Game 2.

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