The Lakers host the Celts in NBA betting, finishing the NBA Finals this week in LA.

 

The first 2 and the previous 2 matches of the series are in LA since the NBA Finals have a 2-3-2 format. NBA Finals gambling had the teams dividing the first four matches of the series so home court was not an assurance of win.

 

NBA betting odds liked the home team in each of the first 5 games of the series and that will be the situation in Game 6 and in Game 7, in needed. The Lakers were 5.5 or 6 point favorites in the first 2 matches of the series so it is likely that will be the situation in the final two matches.

 

The NBA Finals have highlighted numerous celebrities thus far from Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher to Ray Allen and Glen Davis. Which stars will decide the final result this week is the question that remains. The Los Angeles Lakers have proven that they’re in serious trouble when center Andrew Bynum does not play. He barely saw the court in Game 4 and Davis dominated the Los Angeles Lakers inside. If Bynum is healthy the la Lakers have the edge but if he doesn’t see much playing time due to injury then the Boston Celtics have the edge.

 

Normally in an NBA Finals betting series the major celebrities will determine which squad wins but that has really not been the case thus far. Kobe has had an fantastic series for the Lakers but just because he scores over 30 points does not mean the Los Angeles Lakers always win. On the other hand, Paul Pierce has had his moments but he hasn’t taken over the series. It’s been other players like Davis and Fisher who have determined the end result. Will that be the situation in the determining matches in Los Angeles?

 

Kobe Bryant is receiving increasingly frustrated with his squad. He clearly feels as however his squad isn’t following suit even though he is fairly consistently scoring several points per game. On the way to the locker room after their loss in Game 5 on Sunday, he was heard to shout a stream of profanities at his squad. Afterwards, he was quoted as stating that the team’s defense belongs on a milk carton as he was walking out to the bus with his high tops unlaced due to an ankle that has been hurt again.

 

Paul Pierce’s eager assertion that the team would not be coming back to LA at the end of Game 2 has also been established wrong. There’s still a shot that the Lakers could take it all back now that they’ll have the home court edge even though the Boston Celtics are leading the series 3-2.

 

Defense is most important in this series ever since the opening game. Neither team has had overwhelming offensive performances. That has meant many of the matches have gone under the total. The defense could be tough again with an NBA title on the line in LA. Game 6 is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Los Angeles with Game 7, if necessary on Thursday.