CHRIS PAUL DEAL OFF!

" A new "renegotiation and extension" provision allows an existing contract to be renegotiated so the player is paid a smaller amount over a longer period, but the player's salary cannot decrease by more than 40 percent. Renegotiations previously could only increase a player's salary."

The Los Angeles Lakers are also expected to eventually lodge their own trade bid for Howard – featuring some combination of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom – but the Nets appear poised to furnish Orlando with a young replacement for Howard in Lopez, two higher draft picks than the Lakers could presumably offer and the ability to shed Turkoglu’s expensive deal, which will enable Orlando to take another big rebuilding step.

Line is set at -7 for tonights game. Lakers have covered the line in 3 of the 7 games this post-season. In other words, Vegas has made a ton of money. -7 seems like a tough line for a team that lost game 1. Lakers can beat The Mavs by 10+ any game, but thats only if they feel like it(so sad to type that). Im betting they cover the line, but if i had to place a % of how confident am id say im 60%. Lakers by 7-9 points.