Basketball Betting Odds – Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

Thanks to Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, the Boston Celtics stole Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center, and return to Boston with the series tied at 1-1. Now we’ll find out if the Lakers can answer and steal a win of their own, as you get set to make your Tuesday night NBA Finals bets.

NBA Finals: Game 3
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
Series tied 1-1 (1-1 ATS)
Tuesday, June 8: 9:00 p.m. ABC
Betting Odds: Boston -2 ½, Total Points 192 ½ 

Sunday night’s Game 2 will go down as an instant classic, as two great teams battled back-and-forth for four quarters with the Celtics coming out victorious.
No player stepped up more from Game 1 to Game 2 than the great Ray Allen. Allen, who played just 27 minutes in Game 1 because of foul trouble, was a completely different player in the Celtics win Sunday. He made an NBA Finals record eight 3-pointers (Including his first seven), and finished with 32 points in 44 minutes of play.

However, as great as Allen was, he might not have even been the star of the game, as Rajon Rondo stepped up his play immensely as well. Rondo finished the game with his fifth career postseason triple-double, totaling 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Paul Pierce added 10 points as well.

As for the Lakers, it’s important to note that although they barely played their “best game,” the defending champions were still in it until the end. Los Angeles had three players score 20 or more points, including Pau Gasol (25) and Andrew Bynum (21) who dominated down low.

However, superstar Kobe Bryant was held to 21, as he struggled with foul trouble all game long. While most players would be satisfied scoring 21 points in an NBA Finals game, the Lakers will need a better effort from the “Black Mamba,” to win Game 3.With this series now shifting back to Boston, can the Lakers steal a win on the Celtics home court? Don’t be so sure.

In Game 2, it seemed like the Celtics were much more in tune offensively, shooting 43 percent from the field as a team. Also, it was apparent from the get-go, that if Allen plays in this series, he’ll be the strategic offensive advantage that Boston will look to exploit. As good as Derek Fisher has been through the years, he simply can’t keep up with Allen.
Also, the Celtics proved what many thought before this series, that they are the deeper team. Sure Bynum and Gasol got their points down low, but Boston did a much better job of defending Bryant, and especially Fisher and Ron Artest from the perimeter.

The Lakers finished just 5 for 22 from downtown, and a similar effort should be expected Tuesday night.
With Allen leading the offense, and a great defensive game plan in play, make the Celtics your Tuesday night basketball bet. Yes Bryant and the Lakers will play better in Game 3 than they did in Game 2, but as on the Celtics home court it won’t be enough.

Aaron’s Pick: Boston -2 ½