NBA Finals Betting – Lakers Will Survive

No matter how poorly the Lakers play on the road, returning to the electrifying atmosphere of the Staples Center and Jack Nicholson after a loss has historically faired the Lakers extremely well.

Kobe and Co. are an impressive 12-1 in their last 13 games when returning home after defeat.

NBA Championship Coach Rudy Tomjanovich stated, “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion!” Kobe Bryant is more of a champion than anyone in this NBA Finals series.

NBA Finals Game 6 – Lakers vs. Celtics

Tuesday, June 15 – Staples Center – 9:05 EST

NBA Betting Odds:

Boston Celtics +6.5 (-110) +250 O 189 +110

Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 (-110) -300 U 189 +110

He possesses the talent and leadership to force his team to victory even when they don’t deserve to win. We all saw a glimpse of the cold-blooded assassin that is Kobe Bryant, in the 3rd quarter of Game 5 when he posted 19 consecutive points to keep the Lakers close.

But for what seemed to be the first time, there was an answer to Bryant’s offensive juggernaut. No Laker was able to contain Paul Pierce, which kept the Celtics from succumbing to another one of Bryant’s offensive assaults.

It’s too bad Kobe Bryant doesn’t have his very own Scottie Pippen to step up and shut down the opposing team’s best offensive threat when Bryant decides to take over a game.

Instead, he gets Luke Walton coming off the bench to guard one of the best one-on-one players in the NBA? Hmm. If Luke Walton is the Lakers defensive answer to Paul Pierce, then maybe this series will be over in six.

I don’t think so. The Lakers will return to glamorous Hollywood in a must-win game, Luke Walton will not be covering Paul Pierce, and Boston definitely won’t shoot 56% from the field.

There is magic in Hollywood and Kobe Bryant will play David Copperfield tonight. The rest of the Lakers starters had fewer points combined than Bryant in Game 5, and that is a travesty, but also a rarity.

Veteran starters Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, and Derek Fisher better be ashamed of their dreadful Game 5 performances and they know the importance of this elimination game, as they aren’t getting any younger.

Expect a quick start from the Lakers in Game 6 fueled by timely shooting and offensive creativity from Bryant. L.A. will not falter at home before forcing a Game 7. It is only fitting that a Lakers versus Celtics series goes the distance.

The Pick: Lakers -6.5 (-110) — Spread