Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers – NBA Finals Betting Odds

The NBA’s 2-3-2 format for the NBA final puts the higher seed at a distinct disadvantage if they split the first two games in the series at home. While it’s only happened once, there is a distinct possibility that the home team could steal the middle three games and close out the series before heading back to the top seeded team’s arena.  The only time it happened was against the Los Angeles Lakers, when the 2004 Detroit Pistons split the games in LA and then won three straight at home to win the series in five. The Lakers will do everything they can to take this series back to Los Angeles.

The NBA Odds makers have the Boston Celtics as -2½ point favorites over the Los Angeles Lakers. The line opened at -3 points but a flurry of sharp action has pushed the line down a half point. The game total is 192½ points; if the Lakers win this game outright, NBA bettors can win +120 on the moneyline. 

NBA Finals Betting Odds
June 8, 2010
Los Angeles Lakers          +2½        +120
Boston Celtics                    -2½         -140
Game Total         192½
Location: TD Gardens, Boston MA
Game Time: 9:00pm
TV: ABC

In game two, it was the hot play of the Celtic Guards and early foul trouble for Kobe hurt the Lakers. Ray Allen set an NBA finals record for the most three pointers in a finals game with eight and finished the game with 32 points. Rajon Rondo had a triple double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. The Lakers were ready for Rondo’s points and assists but he was able to penetrate and grab balls that should have gone to the Lakers.

It’s hard to blame the referees for a game when they were making bad calls on both sides but the refs called 58 fouls resulting in 67 free throws. It ruined the flow of the game, it left Kobe, Kevin Garnett, Bynum, Lamar Odom and Artest in foul trouble most of the game.  This was a definite advantage for the defensive minded Celtics, if the game turns into a free flowing run and shoot game, the Lakers will run away with it.

The Lakers would rather forget their time in Boston during the 2008 Finals; the Celtics crushed the Lakers 131-92 and beat the Lakers in every game played at home during the 2008 finals.

This trip back to Boston, like the 2010 Finals, has a much different feel than 2008. The Lakers are the dominant team, if it wasn’t for a career game from Ray Allen and some whistle happy referees, the Lakers would be up two games to none.

The Lakers are the bigger team, the better team and if the refs can keep their whistles in their pockets, the Lakers should win this game with ease.  Take the moneyline because if the Lakers are close they will win.