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Lakers Celtics Betting Preview For The NBA Finals
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Author: Big Al McMordie - Monday, May 31, 2010
Here we go again! The Lakers and Celtics meet in the finals for the 12th
time with Game 1 Thursday night in Los Angeles. They are the NBA
champions each of the last two years -- Boston beat the Lakers two years
ago, and Los Angeles topped Orlando last season.
There's a lot to like about how even many of the matchups are, but
there are some key differences with respect to style of play. The Lakers
are more finesse, as they showed in an uptempo series against Phoenix,
having no problem running with the Suns and beating them in six games.
The Celtics play the physical style, pounding the boards and playing an
attacking, in-your-face defense.
The Lakers can play tough defense just as the Celtics can play an
uptempo offense at times, but their preferred styles of play are well
documented. When Kevin Garnett smacked the hand of Dwight Howard twice
in Game 6 (drawing a technical), that summed up the physical and
emotionally intense style of the Celtics.
When Kobe Bryant erupted for 37 points in Game 6 against the Suns,
that emphasized what his team is so good at: the Lakers can outscore
anybody with a strong inside game and long range jumpers depending on
who's hot.
Unlike two years ago, the Lakers have home-court advantage. They have
won 28 of their last 31 postseason games at Staples Center. The Lakers
have also lost nine of the 11 NBA Finals they've played against the
Celtics, including being run out of Boston two seasons ago in possibly
the most embarrassing Finals clinching in NBA history.
"We'll see how much we matured," Bryant said. "They challenged us
extremely well in the finals a couple years ago. Now is a chance to see
how much we've grown." Matured? The key players on the Lakers are all
in their thirties.
It's likely you will see intense defense and possibly even slow-paced
action. That's the Celtics style and notice the two regular season
meetings sailed under the total: LA won 90-89 at Boston and the Celtics
won 87-86 at LA.
Paul Pierce had a great 2008 NBA Finals against the Lakers, but for
2010 he will likely be guarded by LA newcomer, 30-year old Ron Artest.
In the first meeting, Pierce was only 4 of 11 shooting for 15 points and
3 rebounds against the Lakers. In the second meeting, Pierce was 4 of 9
for 11 points, 6 boards.
The other matchup to watch is budding star Rajon Rondo at point guard
against 35-year old Derek Fisher. Fisher has been good in the playoffs,
though Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists in the first meeting and 14
points, 11 assists in the rematch at LA.
Another thing to note about those meetings was how Boston wilted in
the fourth quarter. That has been a problem much of the year, even in
the postseason. Often they get big leads then prefer to play stall-ball
and the offense goes cold while the opponent makes a comeback. In the
two regular season meetings, LA outscored Boston 24-16 and 17-11 in the
fourth quarter. In the LA win, the Lakers outscored Boston on points in
the paint 18-0 in the fourth quarter.
Kendrick Perkins and Andruw Bynum might cancel each other out, as
Perk is no offensive threat and Bynum has a bad knee. KG and Pau Gasol
appear to match up evenly, while sixth men Rasheed Wallace and Lamar
Odom might be a wash, as well. The coaches, too, have rings and are well
respected.
Last week Celtics players said that Doc Rivers began conducting a
video-tape session in Orlando of Boston's Game 5 loss when he abruptly
stopped the machine."We stayed over in Orlando once we lost, and Doc
Rivers had a grueling film session," guard Tony Allen said. "And it was
funny --- well, not funny --- but it kind of surprised me that he
stopped the film session and just told us, 'Guys we don't even need to
watch film. We just gotta go out there and play hard.' I think all the
guys came together, probably remembered that speech and it showed in
Game 6."
While the Lakers have the all important home court, the Celtics have
an edge with the bench. The LA bench has been below average much of the
season and got pushed around in the Western Conference Finals,
particularly on the road. The Celtics have quality bench players in Tony
Allen, 6-11 Wallace and Glen Davis, the energizer bunny. Davis is a fine
defensive player, uses his body well against bigger men like Shaq and
Dwight Howard and also provides an offensive punch inside along with a
10-foot jumper. Expect to see quick Boston guard Nate Robinson, too. The
Celtics haven't used him much because of defensive mismatches, but that
won't be a problem against the diminutive Fisher.
Lakers/Celtics, just like the old days, just like two years ago. If
it's a defensive series where physical play determines the victor, the
Celtics will take it. If home court and offensive execution lead the
way, the Lakers are sitting pretty. No matter what, it should be more
entertaining than last year's Orlando/LA series. Good luck, as
always...Al McMordie.
Related Articles:
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- NBA Playoffs - Handicapping Is In The Match Ups
- NBA Handicapping - Struggling From The Line
- Basketball Success - Is It Players or Coaches
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