Tuesday Night NBA

By Divol

Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers



9th June 02:00 GMT
ESPN (01:30-05:00)

I like the way Lakers responded to there loss in Game 3. They didn't complain about the refs or Boston's physical game. They didn't say that the loss was due to unbelievable performance in the first half by Allen. They blamed their own lack of aggression and lack of defensive. So the main bets for Game 3 are Under 97.5 for Boston and Under 192.5 for the game.

Boston in Game 2 made probably their best effort on offense in the series so far. They enjoyed Allen starting 7 from 7 behind the arc,they had tons of second chance opportunities thanks to Rondo's hustle and even shot few FT's in the final minute. Still they scored only 103 points.

I believe that in Game 3 there is a good chance that Boston will be stopped Under 95 points. Lakers do have the ability to stop Boston. Kobe did a solid job on Rondo and I doubt Kobe will be in foul trouble yet again. I also think that Fisher can do better job on defense and that Allen won't shoot that percentage. I also think that the longer series go, the more teams will focus more and more on the defensive end.
I will also take few small units bets first being Lakers to win.

I thought before the series that in this series the best way is to go with the dog or don't bet at all. I ignored myself and took Lakers for Game 2 and obviously regretted that. So for the next three games in Boston the plan is to take Lakers or to avoid betting on a side at all. This time I will take Lakers, till they get their win in Boston (hopefully they will). I will start small units and will increase them if they lose, hopefully with odds going up a bit.

I think that Lakers are the better team. Boston had amazing night from Allen and Rondo, solid night from Sheed, Pekrins, Nate and Davis and still Lakers came back from behind 14 points and took the lead. KG was poor, but he been like that for two games straight so he needs to prove he can play against the Lakers and Pierce was weak as well, but still, Boston had pretty good game and still barely won.

Lakers on the other hand, had a terrible game. Gasol and Bynum were great. Farmar as well was decent. But that is it. Fisher, Bryant, Odom, Artest - all didn't show up for this game. To have such poor contribution from those four players and still be in the game till the end is amazing and if Lakers bounce back and it's hard to believe they will continue to perform that bad, they should win one of the games in Boston.

Second bet is yet again on Garnett, probably the last one, if he losses yet again. I will take this time only Garnett +3.5 against Gasol, since if Garnett will take 8+ rebounds, he will win the line bet almost for sure and the line gives us a chance to cash in if Gasol has poor game as well.

Third bet is on Artest to outscore Perkins. First of all, Artest usually responds to critics well. He also wants that ring so badly and he was one of the reasons for Lakers losing their HCA. Perkins had a great game in Game 2, but I really doubt he will give two great games in a row. He really struggles in the post season and Lakers can stop him.

Picks:

Boston Under 97.5 points - 1.90 odds - 4.5 units play -

Under 192.5 - 1.91 odds - 3 units play - Bet365

Lakers to win - 2.28 odds - 2 units play - Boylesports

Garnett +3.5 rebounds against Gasol - 1.95 odds - 2.5 units play - Gamebookers

Artest -1.5 points against Perkins - 1.65 odds - 2 units play - Gamebookers

Divol