NBA Finals Odds – Celtics vs Lakers

After all the waiting, all the pomp and circumstance, the NBA Finals finally kicked off Thursday night. Unfortunately no one told the Boston Celtics, as they lost an embarrassing opener 102-89 to the Lakers. As you get set to make your Game 2 NBA Finals bet, do the Celtics have enough left to turn things around?

NBA Finals Game 2
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles 1-0 Series Lead (1-0 ATS)
Sunday, June 6: 8:00 p.m. ABC

NBA Betting Odds: Los Angeles -6, Total Points 190

It won’t be easy for Boston, as the Lakers were simply better than them in every phase of the game Thursday night.

Looking at the stats doesn’t tell the whole story of Los Angeles’ dominance, but we’ll look at them anyway. In Game 1, four Lakers starters scored in double-figures as the team shot 49 percent from the field and outrebounded the Celtics by 11. This one was over by the start of the fourth quarter when Los Angeles held a 20 point lead.

Leading the way of course was the best player in this series, Kobe Bryant. To say Bryant is great is an understatement, he is simply on another level than everyone in basketball right now.

Thursday night was no different, as Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points, including 14 in the third quarter that opened up a nine point halftime lead to 20 by the end of the period. Pau Gasol added 23 points and 14 rebounds, proving that he is in fact the best big man in this series, and Ron Artest had a quiet 15 points, while also playing excellent perimeter defense.

As for Boston, it’s back to the drawing board for the Celtics, who just didn’t have any answers on Thursday night. Their usual armada of scorers were all held in check, with the exception of Paul

Pierce who scored 24 points. However, shooting guard Ray Allen was held to 12 because of foul trouble and Kevin Garnett scored 16, but missed several easy dunks that he usually makes. And whether it was his back injury or the stifling Lakers defense we’ll never know, but point guard Rajon Rondo did not look like himself, scoring 13 points on just 6 of 14 shooting.

Entering Game 2, is there any reason to think that the Celtics can turn things around? Don’t be so sure.

The dirty little secret to anyone who watched Game 1 was that the Lakers simply were better than the Celtics in every aspect of basketball. They looked quicker, more athletic, and their length down low and on the perimeter bothered Celtics shooters all game long. None of that is going to change heading into Game 2.

With the home court advantage, and a team that is simply better, make the Los Angeles Lakers your Sunday night NBA Finals bet.

They should have no problem covering the NBA betting odds, and will take commanding control of this series with a comfortable win. Wager on them today!

Aaron’s Pick: Los Angeles -6, Total Points OVER 190