Are Lakers Really Good Bet in Game 3?

Remember being in pre-school or first grade or possibly with your children; playing games were you had to come up with answers to teachers questions? The idea was to you as a child or anyone, come up with a list of answers to individual questions. It could be a fascinating topic, often not thinking of the answers others would happen to think of. For example, if the question would be, what are things that are soft, thoughts like pillows, ice cream, and a rabbit come to mind or for more creative types, the sun setting on a placid lake. For this composite list of soft things, add the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bettors universally assumed the Lakers and Kobe Bryant in particular would be spitting venom in Game 2, and took Los Angeles from opening line of +2, all the way to -1.5 at tipoff. Instead, the Lakers were like a big dog asleep on his back. From the beginning of the second quarter, until the start of the last stanza, they were “out” every-thing(ed) by Boston. Out- shot, rebounded, passed, dunked, defended and most importantly out-hustled. The Celtics won the middle portion of the game 63-39, in dominating fashion.

Thou Paul Gasol’s numbers show 17 points and 10 rebounds, not one of those figures were critical and thus far it is obvious the Spaniard couldn’t box out a statue of John Quincy Adams. Evidently teams never ran a pick and roll, free throw line extended against the Memphis Grizzlies, since Gasol is alarming out of position, leaving the baseline wide open, explaining how Rajon Rando could have 16 assists in game two.

Boston has played like a team wanting a championship, bringing lunch pale and getting into defensive stance. They have double-teamed Bryant at every opportunity and not one other player in a purple uniform stepped up in first two contests. Lamar Odom has been out of position on both ends of the floor and is playing more confused than useful. If Los Angeles is not to fall to 8-19 ATS in home games after failing to cover the spread in two or more consecutive games, coach Phil Jackson has to find players who can match the C’s thirst for excellence.

After last contest, Jackson had to say something about free throw disparity (38-10) and though a more than a few calls were questionable, the referee’s are human and Boston was so much more aggressive, they earned the right to have the official’s benefit of the doubt. The Lakers made reserve Leon Powe look like the perfect replacement for Kevin Garnett in the future; as he scored 21 points, but did it with what L.A. lacked, hustle and heart. The Celtics are 28-12 ATS in road games after playing a game as an underdog.

In a somewhat curious twist, the oddsmakers are banking on bettors and Lakers backers to support Los Angeles as 9.5-point favorites, with total of 195.5. No doubt the Lakers 8-0 (6-2 ATS) playoff record at Staples Center is impressive; nonetheless, the Celtics have won and covered all four meetings between these long-time rivals and the first two games before Jan. 1, seems like a moot point at present.

For Los Angeles to get back into series, defense is number one prerequisite. They can’t be so easily out of position and must button down gaping holes and not run out to open shooters, leaving chasms to basket. L.A. is 9-3-1 ATS after allowing 100 points or more. The bench must have more production, especially by Luke Walton, who has been a no-show thus far in the Finals. The Lakers keep falling into Boston’s preferred tempo, and need to make them play more uncomfortably. Send four players to defensive glass and have perimeter player on opposite side of where shot was taken, be a mid-court first pass option to force tempo. Finally, show gumption, the feeling in viewing the body language of L.A. is they are surprised Boston is as physically and mentally tougher than San Antonio.

The two teams combined to make 19 three-point shots in last encounter and with the Celtics 9-14 beyond the arc; they are 13-2 ATS after a game where they made 50 percent of their three-point shots or better this season. Doc Rivers will ask for same energy and 48 minutes to take commanding 3-0. If they maintain poise, they’ll just have to do what guitar legend Eric Clapton wrote about from his Cream of Clapton CD, the song - Blues Power, where the lyrics say, “Keep on, keep on, keep on keeping on.”