NBA Finals Game 5 – Just Win Baby

Nothing official has come forward, but expect Paul Pierce has to be pleased going back to Los Angeles and he might even fly back with his teammates leading in the series. Say what you want about the Boston Celtics, this group is buoyant and tenacious, from the starters to the bench players and their coach might be a blast at a black jack table, hitting on 16 because he feels a five coming as next card.

If Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen sound like the makeup of an NBA expansion team, that belief would likely be correct. However, this group of bench jockey’s scored on the first nine possessions of the final stanza for the Celtics and largely cemented the game away against the Lakers regular starters.

Coach Doc Rivers took a gamble, not calculated, but heart-felt and emotional, that this contingent had just a bit more to give with over 240 seconds left in Game 4 and his team leading by nine points and waved back his starting subs back to the bench.

“Hell, Rondo and all of them were begging me to keep guys in. 'Don't take them out. Don't take them out,'" Rivers recalled. "It was great. That was the loudest I've seen our bench, and it was our starters cheering from the bench. I thought it was terrific."

This enabled the Celtics to tie the series and moved their record to 8-3 SU and ATS at TD Garden in the postseason with one more to go.

Boston could be gaining some advantages as the series is wearing on. Pierce was much more efficient in running off screen and roles, getting Ron Artest out of his face, scoring 19 points and handing out five assists.

The player formerly known as “Big Baby” has been a man, as Davis’ internal flame has him continually outhustling the Los Angeles big men and he found a way to not let his height be a detriment in the paint against the taller L.A. players in making seven of 10 shots and collecting five boards (four offensive).

Going from the speed and quickness of Rajon Rondo to Nate Robinson allows the Celtics to have accelerator to the floor like a NASCAR driver in a straight away if they choose for all 48 minutes.

The Lakers give the appearance of being in control, but cracks are formulating. Andrew Bynum knee not only limits him, but forces Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to log more minutes against the more physical Boston frontline.

Though Kobe Bryant scored 33 points in last conflict, the Allen Gang (Tony and Ray) are making life difficult, as witnessed by his seven turnovers.

Bryant said, "They got all the energy points, the hustle points, the second-chance points ... "

" ... points in the paint, beat us to the loose balls," Bryant continued. "I mean, that's how the game turned around."

For the third time in this year’s playoffs, Los Angeles is 2-2 and they are 19-6 ATS when a series is tied and 18-6 ATS in road games having lost two of their last three tilts. The extra day off should help Bynum and the exhausted looking Lakers should be fresher.

Sportsbooks have Boston as 2.5-point home faves with total slipping to 187.5 after a pair of Under’s.

The Celtics are 8-2 ATS in last 10 NBA Finals’ affairs and 5-0 ATS with two days off. They are 6-0-1 UNDER in last seven home assignments.

The Lakers are still a potent 37-21 as an underdog, including 5-2 ATS in previous seven tries. Phil Jackson must devise ways to get better looks and increase the tempo since his club is 15-6 UNDER as a road underdog of six points or less this season, which has them being outscored 3.9 points per game when this happens.

ABC will have Game 5 at 8:00 Eastern and the team that snares the most rebounds in 4-0 SU and ATS in the Finals.

NBA Bettors looking for Heroes and Goats

Maybe Boston’s Paul Pierce will be right after all, the Celtics might not be going back to Los Angeles, just for all the wrong reasons. Boston was outhustled, outplayed and coughed up home court advantage quicker than a newborn baby. If you bet the Lakers to win the NBA championship, the odds are mostly certainly stacked in your favor.

After L.A. won the opening game, Phil Jackson’s imposing size and demeanor was appearing even larger with his team’s 47-0 record leading 1-0 in a series. After losing the second game at the star-studded Staples Center, the Lakers added one more to 18-6 ATS record when they are tied in a series and the team that wins the crucial third game of a NBA Finals best of seven is 28-4 to be crowned champs.

Lakers' Heroes

Think back, way back to opening L.A. and Oklahoma City series when Russell Westbrook of the Thunder was making Derek Fisher look older than Emmett Smith in the “Just for Men” commercials. Fisher overcame disastrous playoff start and has increasing become more a factor in each series. With Kobe Bryant not his usual self, Fisher took it upon himself to close-out the Celtics, scoring 11 of his 16 points in the final 12 minutes.

“He won the game for them,’’ said Boston coach Doc Rivers. “Derek Fisher was the difference in the game.’’

Another reason for why Los Angeles was able to emerge victorious at TD Garden and move to 37-20 ATS as underdogs was the continued appearance of Lamar Odom. After being saddled with five quick fouls the first two tilts, Odom scored 12 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting and snaring five rebounds.

“I was able to get into a nice rhythm,’’ Odom said. “I stayed composed. I took what they gave me.’’

Celtics’ Goats

NBA coaches continually preach in the playoffs – The last game is the last game, put it behind you.

Ray Allen suffered that lesson the hard way and has to follow that advice moving forward. After unprecedented three-point shooting display in Los Angeles, Allen returned to Boston and put up an unlucky 13 shots, none that went thru the net. Fortunately, he missed being in the record books two games in a row, as Dennis Johnson, then with Seattle, was 0-14 in a NBA Finals game.

All of his shots looked flat,’’ Rivers said. “I don’t think he had any legs. Of his 13 shots, he had eight great looks. But all of his shots were short. And all of them were flat.’’ Allen’s inability to score left his team flat, as the Celtics fell to 18-29 ATS as a home favorite this season.

Pierce proved like the CEO of British Petroleum, talk is cheap and that actions speak louder than words. His 13 for 36 shooting in the Finals speaks volumes for Boston’s chances of winning this series.

Who’s thrown into the spotlight next?

Oddsmakers have the Celtics as 3.5-point favorites to comeback and even the series with total of 190. In order for this to occur Boston’s Big Three has to stay out of foul trouble (which could be difficult with the horrible officiating towards both teams) and be collectively productive. The C’s are 6-1 ATS after SU loss and Kendrick Perkins has to start putting in the same kind of effort Glen Davis is.

Pierce and teammates have to better execute and screen and rolls, because Ron Artest is in Pierce’s grill otherwise. Rajon Rondo was a non-factor starting halfway thru the second period, that can’t happen again. Though it seems opposite, Boston has played better at faster tempo in this series and is 17-7 OVER off an upset loss as a home favorite.

Andrew Bynum reinjured his ailing knee Tuesday and it would seem doubtful he will be much of a factor, thrusting Odom more prominently into the next contest. The Lakers are 8-4 ATS off a triumph and were somewhat fortunate Fisher was there to bail them out.

The good news is Bryant seldom has two games in a row this time of year where he isn’t clutch, but Tony Allen does give him fits. Gasol could use more than 11 shots like the last contest, but needs to work harder to demand the ball. His team is 9-1 UNDER after allowing 85 points or less this season.

ABC has Game 4 at 9:00 Eastern and the club that shoots the higher percentage is 7-1 and 6-1-1 ATS in previous eight meetings.

Lakers large and in charge

Have you noticed how calm the Lakers have been this postseason? Yes, they have lost four road games and been 2-2 in two different series, plus gave away a few fourth leads the caused spread losses for backers, but not once have Kobe Bryant and the rest of his teammates looked truly flustered and exasperated to the point where they appeared beatable in a series.

Game 1 was perfect example as Los Angeles was methodical in beating Boston. The Lakers were up by five after the first quarter, led by nine and the half and salted the contest away with 34-23 third stanza, building insurmountable 84-64 lead.

Phil Jackson’s club is 9-2 ATS after a playoff win this spring and are under control. After the Lakers ended the series against Phoenix in Game 6, the talk in the desert was the Suns lack of defensive intensity, as the Lake Show has 91 points after three quarters. Who would have ever guessed the defensive-minded Celtics would have permitted 84 points with 12 minutes still left to play?

It was shocking how little resistance Boston put up. Early today if you Googled the term “non-factor”, pictures of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett all appeared. Paul Pierce was the only Celtics player showing any game close to what Celtics would expect, but that was mostly in the final quarter when the outcome was already determined, as they fell to 6-19 ATS versus teams averaging 83 or more shots a game this year.

To borrow a little Dick Vitale speak, the Lakers were ‘windex-men” cleaning the glass, outrebounding Boston by 42-31. With Pau Gasol having eight offensive rebounds, you would have thought he had grown a foot.

When Doc Rivers was asked about the last time he remembered his team being so outclassed on the boards, he responded this way. “I don’t know if I recall one,” he said. “But I know if there was, we lost that game, too. I can guarantee you that.”

You don’t rebound; you don’t win. What’s true during the regular season holds even truer now.
“They killed us on the glass,” he said.

What can Boston do to plot an upset in Game 2? Of course they have to rebound better, which might entail sending more players to the glass on the defensive side and once the ball is secured, immediately find Rondo and let him fire up the jets to beat L.A. down the floor. Rondo has to show better judgment with the ball in his hands.

The Celtics staff has to find ways to rub Pierce off Ron Artest’s “krazy glue” defense. Garnett can’t be dominated by Gasol, he has to work harder for rebounds and make medium range jump shots to pull the big man from Spain away from the bucket.

The Lakers offense is especially fluid at the Staples Center, which suggests Perkins has to be more a factor on the offense end besides setting screens. Though his scoring skills are limited, Perkins has to defeat Andrew Bynum in the post and be fed the ball for dunks or layups. Rivers and his coaches usually make solid adjustments and are 9-1 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more over the last two seasons.

Oddsmakers have L.A. as a six-point fave with total of 190.5 and they are 8-3 ATS after breaking the century mark. With two days between contests the Lakers are 12-4 UNDER this season. The Celtics will have to be much more assertive and are 22-10 ATS away from home after consecutive games with 19 or less assists. The last five times Boston has allowed 100 or more points, the next contest goes UNDER the number.

This matchup has earlier start time of 8:00 Eastern on ABC and this is an absolute must win for the team in green, as it appears very unlikely they would sweep three at home.

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Lakers vs Celtics - That say's it all

In the history of the NBA, two names stand above the rest, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. These two franchises have combined to win 32 NBA titles (the Lakers won five in Minneapolis). Boston has beaten the Lakers nine of 11 meetings in the NBA Finals which substantiates the point for many people of substance over style.

The Lakers like to make the argument that in spite of having a couple less titles than the Celtics, theirs is the better franchise having a bit of Jack Nicklaus in them (18 major’s titles, 17 second’s), finishing runner-up 16 times.

What makes this appointment television is history. For many of the players let alone those tuned in to watch, this matchup is about Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. What made this important is they met one another over a short period of time. Boston defeated the Lakers seven times from 1959 to 1969 and they met three times in four years from 1984 to 1987.

That is what makes this renewal even better than two June’s ago. The last time basketball fans had a 21-year break between heated encounters; this time most of the combatants are the same that met two years prior. What is different this time compared to 2008 when the Celtics hung their first NBA championship banner since 1986?

Trust and Age

Though Ray Allen was having brutal postseason two years ago, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in particular were at the top of their respective games. Each was able to dominate for lengthy periods of any contest and did in those six games.

Today, neither KG nor Pierce has that same ability; both can make a series of outstanding plays to help Boston, just in a shorter time span. The Celtics are helped by Allen being a much stronger contributor, but the driving force of this Doc Rivers club is Rajon Rondo. The former Kentucky product has exploded onto the scene in the playoffs and been the catalyst behind the Celtics success. The C’s now feed off what Rondo delivers.

Two years ago, Kobe did not trust his teammates. He demanded total effort in the biggest games and they did not deliver to his liking. Last year’s title drive was all about finishing the deal and becoming champions again and thou Bryant has his doubts from time to time about the 2010 edition of the Lake Show, he knows what to expect from Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol and to a lesser degree Lamar Odom and Ron Artest.

It’s all about the matchups

How does Boston limit Kobe’s effectiveness? Doc Rivers coach’s by feel more than X’s and O’s during games. Rivers will go after Bryant with Baskin-Robbins approach, using a variety of methods. Guard Kobe tight to force him to drive into lane where the Celtics big men can create issues. Let him shoot from the outside to prevent him from getting fouled too often and adding up points. They will double Kobe on the wings or single him up in the middle of the floor and go with what works best.

Derek Fisher took it as personal mission to stay with Steve Nash in West finals, but he has nowhere near enough foot speed to stay with Rondo. That means Bryant will see Rondo aplenty and if Boston wants to slow the pace, L.A. will be cool with that process, since Bryant can use his size and wing span to stay in front of Rondo. Expect coach Rivers to dictate to Rondo to run at every opportunity to maximize his effectiveness.

Pierce and Artest is a potential swing matchup in the series. Pierce’s jab step jumper is more deadly when he sets up defender by driving to the bucket. If he can make Artest indecisive about his intentions, he could frustrate Ron-Ron into drawing silly fouls and taking him mentally out of the game.

Artest has to knock down enough shots to keep Pierce honest on defense and prevent him from clogging driving lanes. Artest’s job on the other end of the floor is to limit Pierce’s scoring ability and work him so that his legs don’t give him the leverage he needs late in the game to make jumpers.

In the frontcourt, Boston will try and manhandle the Lakers bigs with their imposing strength using Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace to roughhouse. Los Angeles should be accustomed to these tactics, expect Phil Jackson to try and manufacture matchups playing to the strengths of Gasol, Odom and Andrew Bynum in the triangle offense.

Coaching counts

In 2008, the Rivers vs. Jackson coaching matchup was thought to be akin to choosing between Snookie of “Jersey Shore” and Megan Fox. Rivers it turns out is the right coach for Boston, continually pushing his club to do better thru effort and precision and working game plans with mastermind assistant Tom Thibodeau.

Jackson was almost passive when his club lost to the Celtics in the finals two seasons ago, but has been much more involved the last two years, not sitting idly by wanting players to learn from adversity. He’s been more aggressive in substitution patterns and back to trying different bench players in various situations to find the spark when needed.

ATS nuts and bolts

Both teams were unreliable home teams wagers with the Lakers 42-7 and 21-27-2 ATS record and the Celtics 31-19 and 19-30-1 ATS. Given their ability and skill, each was a factor as visitors with Boston 31-18 (26-22-1 ATS) and L.A. 27-22 (22-26-1 ATS).

In the last three years the Celtics “Big Three” is 7-5 and 9-2 ATS against Los Angeles. The road team has won five games outright of the previous 13 meetings, however just one was in the finals in 2008.

You will read the home court is not a significant factor because of how the visitors have played lately, but if you are making series wager, the teams with home court advantage has won eight of last ten.

What happens?

Only once in the previous 25 years has seed other than No. 1-3 won the NBA championship and Boston was a four seed coming into the postseason. Eddie House and Leon Powe were significant players for the Celtics in the last finals meeting, both play elsewhere today.
Gasol and Bryant together are better players than previous finals confrontation and the Lakers are 44-0 in any series with Jackson as coach if they win Game 1.

This will be rugged, physical series, with the trophy staying in L.A.

3Daily Winners Pick- L.A. Lakers (-180) in seven over Boston (+150)

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Boston needs a little magic(?)

No way, come on, it’s impossible, not a chance in you know where, but yet…

The Boston Celtics have gone into some weird time warp machine, going from looking old and downtrodden, to younger and hotter than Justin Bieber and back again.

The Celtics by the end of Game 5’s 113-92 beat down looked like they had just rode on nearby Space Mountain at Disney World backwards, without seat belts.

For those that love the city of Boston and their sports teams, this series is taking on a theme a little too familiar, with the Bruins coughing up a 3-0 series lead to Philadelphia earlier this month.

The Celtics are 23-11 ATS when playing with double revenge and might need Lance Burton to put an end to Orlando’s magic. The single greatest denominator in this series is confidence. Boston stole it in Game 1 and Orlando has taken it back with two victories.

How else can you explain Boston being flawless on both ends of the floor, finding the open shooter to make baskets and closing out on Orlando shooters at just the right instant to make them miss.

Yet, in the space of less than two playoff games, Doc River’s team can’t find an open makeable shot and looks hesitant and half step slow on offense and is running towards Magic shooters, instead of having them guarded.

And what about Stan Van Gundy’s squad? For three games Orlando couldn’t hit the water with a shot at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and Jameer Nelson vs. Rajon Rondo looked like the biggest mismatch since Floyd Mayweather Jr. hammered Arturo Gatti.

However, a great coaching adjustment by Van Gundy has Nelson finding freedom off screens and the Boston big men are uncertain of Jameer’s next move and he’s put them in a full Nelson, whether he’s decided to drive, shoot or dish. The Magic might have unleashed another weapon as Rashard Lewis stopped thinking and has started just playing basketball.

Orlando is 11-3 ATS in road games off a home win by 10 points or more this season and their increased intensity and execution has Rivers team reeling.

Glen Davis is a maybe after suffering concussion, leaving a frustrated Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to do battle with Dwight Howard in the paint, who is invoking performances from yesteryear. (From Elias Sports - Dwight Howard registered 21 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots to help Orlando avoid playoff elimination in Game Five on Wednesday night. Howard had 32 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots to help Orlando avoid a series sweep in Game Four. Only one other player has recorded 20-or-more points, 10-or-more rebounds and at least four blocked shots in consecutive games with his team facing elimination in both games: Elvin Hayes in 1979.)

Boston is a 3.5-point favorite according to most sportsbooks, with total of 187.5. Can a battered and bruised white-clad club muster Celtic pride and close out this series? Yes they can, but they have to make adjustments.

Orlando has raised the ante on physical play and the Celtics have been retaliating with foolish fouls instead of matching grit for grit. Bang with the Magic just enough to not be whistled for fouls and don’t get out-muscled and out-worked on the glass, otherwise they fall to 13-30 ATS at home after being outrebounded by opponent by 15 or more. Passive won’t work and neither will overly aggressive, take the fight to them.

On the high screens Nelson is running off of, attack him with big man, with arms spread to reduce Jameer’s line of sight. Nelson has never been accused of being a Steve Nash-type passer. Force him make immediate decisions with ball, not his strength under duress.

Boston players also have to stay with their own man. In the first three contests the Magic converted 20 three-pointers, in the last two wins; Orlando long distance shooters have ripped the nets for 23 from “downtown”.

Superman and friends are 24-13 ATS as an underdog over the last two years and they know as well as Boston, for all intents and purposes this is an elimination game for both teams. Though 93 teams have tried and failed in the NBA playoffs being down 3-0, if Boston were to lose, most would bet against history.

ESPN has Game 6 at 8:30 Eastern and one can only imagine what people from Bean-Town are thinking.

Boston on the brink

Talk about anti-climatic; this is exactly the situation the online sports betting world is facing in tonight’s Orlando and Boston Game 4 matchup. Only four times in the history of major sports has a team comeback from a 3-0 deficit (the city of Boston teams has been involved in half of them, one good one bad) and it has never happened on the hardwood.

The Celtics are headed to the NBA Finals whether it be tonight or later this week, but how did the veteran team come so far so fast after playing .500 basketball for 3 ½ months and being a near calamity for backers against the spread?

In hindsight, Boston had variables that were not present to the naked eye, but were just below the surface.

The Celtics have several players that had been thru every imaginable NBA condition. Two years ago they were able to finally taste a championship and thou they failed a year ago, Boston had far less expectations placed on them this season.

While many ranted (including the person that wrote this article) this was just an old team that needed to start refocusing with a different cast, their coach Doc Rivers saw something else.

“This being an older group, it’s probably easier for me to get their focus in the playoffs,” Rivers said. “The goal is right in front of them.”

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen might not be able to bring an outstanding performance night after night like in the past, but as their confidence grew in the postseason, each has had spurts of greatness and played true team basketball, with Boston 11-3 SU and ATS in the playoffs.

Boston has been constructed in way that promotes team play and that has the ability to stifle opponents that are not mentally strong.

Beyond Dwayne Wade, Miami lacked the physical and mental toughness to compete with Boston and fell 4-1. Cleveland was believed to be on their way to being crowned the kings of the NBA, instead they still lacked the scoring power beyond LeBron James, with outside shooters that could drain shots all day against inferior competition, but not under pressure by a defensive team that gave no quarter.

Orlando, the defending Eastern champions, had marched thru the first two rounds of the playoffs like Heidi Montag adding car miles to plastic surgeon.

The Magic thwarted the Celtics a year ago in the East semis, but Garnett wasn’t there. The 2010 version of Rajon Rondo is superior to the one Orlando faced a year ago and Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen and Glen Davis are all better players one season later, as witnessed by their complete thrashing of the blue-clad squad 94-71. Boston is 20-7 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more since the “Big 3” and others were assembled.

This reporter admits to picking Orlando to win the series, but one nagging question was still out there. With Hedo Turkoglu and to a lesser degree Courtney Lee no longer part of Magic contingent, who was going to make big shots at crunch time?

Vince Carter has long been known for being less than clutch in the final five minutes of a contest. Dwight Howard needs to be setup to score and let’s be totally frank, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes and others would never be accused of blood doping, since it would have to go thru their hearts, which they have not shown in this series to date. Orlando might be 17-4 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more, however they look much closer to the team that is 0-4 as visiting underdogs.

Sportsbooks have Boston as seven-point favorite with total of 187.

When Celtics players were asked about their hockey counterparts blowing 3-0 playoff lead this spring and if outside influences could make them less mentally strong, Paul Pierce said this.
“This team is not complacent,” Pierce said. “We’re too close to our goals. You’ve got a team that’s won the championship so we understand what it takes. We understand the mental toughness that you’ve got to have at this point in the season. So I don’t see any slippage from us and, hopefully, we can close this thing out on Monday.”

The total is at a series low and Boston is 12-2 UNDER after allowing 35 points or less in the first half last game (second time in the series), while Orlando is 11-3 UNDER after failing to cover the spread in two or more consecutive games.

Game 4 is set for 8:30 Eastern on ESPN.

Respect your elders

Common on, be honest, you had the Boston Celtics playing in the NBA Finals right along with the thought of changing the oil in your car. The truth is you didn’t really believe either was going to happen, but it sounds good right now, having learned what veteran pride and know how can do.

While much of corporate America looks to slice payroll, force more early retirements and generally speaking hire a cheaper labor force without necessarily having a better replacements, the Boston basketball franchise embraces the elderly.

No question it is a fine line to walk, as for months Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were having a difficult time keeping up with their hefty reputations, let alone playing a higher caliber of basketball. Boston limped into the playoffs with 3-7 SU and ATS record to close the season and most basketball fans and sports bettors thought the only way the light goes on for the Celtics was the “Clapper”.

For all that had gone wrong with Boston (27-26, 20-31-2 ATS since Dec. 27 until the end of the regular season), once the playoffs began, youth was served.

Rajon Rondo strapped the (aging) veteran stars on his back went took off. Rondo destroyed Miami and as that series wore on, one by one the “Big Three” from the Celtics joined him as a cohesive unit. Much like a younger person showing an older adult how to use their cell phone and various apps, Rondo got Boston rolling and they are 10-3 SU and ATS in the postseason, including punching winners on the last five contests.

After the C’s unceremoniously chopped up Cleveland, Orlando was supposed to finish of this Celtics revival. The Magic were younger, quicker and reportedly hungrier, playing the best basketball of any team for 2 ½ months.

Then something weird happened, something that would make legendary Red Auerbach smile. Boston went to Central Florida and ripped Orlando apart. Word was the Rondo and Jameer Nelson matchup was supposed to be special; instead it’s been the like Buffalo Bills in a Super Bowl.

The way the other Magic guards and forwards (except for J.J. Redick and Vince Carter in non-pressure situations) have wilted against Boston, you would have thought the games were being played outdoors on Church Street.

For roughly 35 minutes of each of the first two games, the way Orlando was scrambling on defense, you would swear it was 6 on 5, with Boston always finding the open man. The Magic might be 26-14 ATS having won 15 or more of their last 20 games this season, but they look like a befuddled bunch.

Online sports betting outlets have Boston as 3.5-point favorite, with total of 190 and they are 25-14 ATS after a win by six points or less. The Celtics have controlled the tempo series after series and is 13-3 UNDER against teams with winning records. Orlando still has a heartbeat, but is 15-31 ATS off two or more consecutive home losses and 9-1 UNDER after a close loss by three points or less.

ESPN will have Game 3 at 8:30 Eastern, with the favorite 1-6 and 0-7 ATS since May 17 of last year.

Orlando better come ready

The Boston Celtics exposed the Orlando Magic like Toto pulling back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz. Whether Orlando was not emotionally ready to play from the long layoff or listless after cruising past two dramatically weaker opponents, the facts are for three quarters the Magic looked liked they belonged in the Eastern Finals as much as the New Jersey Nets.

The crisp passing normally associated with Stan Van Gundy’s team amounted to a grand total of 10 assists in the series opener. The Magic players dumped the ball down to Dwight Howard and basically stood like statues in creating no movement on the perimeter, which forced Howard to rely on his limited offense game with nowhere to pass the ball.

While the Celtics deserve credit for keeping the Magic under 40 percent shooting for the first 36 minutes, their task was made much simpler with Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes and Jameer Nelson for the most part taking off-balance shots and being sloppy ball-handlers.

“I don't think we were prepared for the level they were ready to play," said Vince Carter, one of the few players in white with pulse throughout the contest. "They were ready to go from the jump, and we weren't on their level from the beginning." Orlando is 41-22 ATS revenging a same season loss.

It’s not a good thing when the best and smartest player on the floor for your team is J.J. Redick. While the former Duke guard has made himself a useful NBA player off the bench, he can’t be one of two players (Carter the other) that understands what his team needs.

The Magic too readily let Boston set up its half court defense. When Nelson had the ball a good portion the game, he did too much yo-yo dribbling and the offense was stagnant.

With Redick, he would get the ball into Howard’s hands early in the shot clock and give the big man options, he would than move to give Dwight as reasonable outlet and would either dribble drive to the basket for a good shot or find another open shooter. The Magic are 23-11 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread this year.

"That was a wake-up call we really needed, in my opinion," said Carter. "They're relentless, they're aggressive, they do a great job of contesting, especially in the paint, and it took us a while to figure it out, but when we did we played a lot better."

The question about Boston has been are they too old and are they wise because of their experience? The answer presently is the latter. Ray Allen shot only 34 percent against the Magic in last year’s playoffs and they tried to employ the same defensive strategy on him again, pressuring him on the perimeter to take contested shots. Allen foiled those tactics, by beating Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus and later Redick off the dribble for layups or short jumps shots in totaling his game high 25 points.

The green-clad C’s are up to 38-23 ATS as road underdogs the past three years and Paul Pierce is starting to show he might still have something left in his legs with superior all-around game line that looked this way - 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

“It was a defensive game, and we like those. That was fine with us," said Boston coach Doc Rivers.

Orlando opens Game 2 as seven-point favorites to even the series, with total of 189. The Magic are 31-12 ATS after playing a game as a home favorite and 17-6 UNDER after one or more losses. Boston has won and covered four in a row and is 29-16 ATS in road games after successfully covering the spread in two or more consecutive contests. The Celtics are 11-2 UNDER after allowing 35 points or less in the first half last outing.

The second game in the series has an 8:30 Eastern start on ESPN.

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NBA Eastern Finals Outlook

(2) Orlando vs (4) Boston

After the Orlando Magic dismissed atrocious Atlanta in four games, an article appeared on the internet, questioning if this team was as good as the one that went to The Finals a year ago. We’ll let the author of that piece further collect his thoughts while we examine the facts, at least as we know them.

Orlando has won all eight assignments in the NBA Playoffs without a loss. An argument could easily be made of those teams in the final four, the Magic have had the path of least resistance, encountering two obviously flawed clubs that any of the other three teams to join them in the middle of May would have also beaten.

In Orlando’s defense, they can only do what is asked of them and have they ever.

Dwight Howard and the Magic are 8-0 and 7-1 ATS in the playoffs. They have won these games by an average of 17.1 points a contest and covered the spread by incredible 8.8 PPG. (There only non-cover was by half a point)

Since Feb. 28, Stan Van Gundy’s team is 28-3; let that sink in a few seconds, 28-3 and equally remarkable 23-7-1 ATS. While LeBron James and Cleveland were resting up at the end of the regular season to be eliminated from the playoffs roughly a month earlier than they expected, Orlando was just getting started. They are 14-0 and 13-1 ATS since Apr. 4.

Just how good has the Magic been in last 31 games, consider they have outscored opposing teams by 436 points or 14.0 PPG. The other three teams left in the postseason did not have that large of a total points differential over 82 games! In other words Orlando is lampooning everyone these days. One other note everyone might have missed, the team with the largest point differential in the NBA was the Magic at +7.5 and since 2004, all but one of the teams that won the NBA title led their conference in this category.

Now that we’ve established just how good Jameer Nelson and his teammates are what about Boston. The Celtics just took down the “chosen” Cavaliers who were supposed to be NBA champions. After an incredibly substandard second half of the season in which Betty White and Abe Vigoda (both were in the now famous Snickers commercial) appeared downright spry compared to the Celtics, they’ve had a playoff renaissance much like Ms. White’s career.

Kevin Garnett has been bedrock solid, playing to his strengths of the mid-range jump shot and being a presence on defense. Ray Allen quietly had a strong second half of the season after hearing trade rumors, driving foes crazy running off screens and draining jump shots. Though his foot speed might not be as good as it was, Allen’s knack of squaring up players on defense and picking their pocket, places the Celtics in advantageous positions.

Paul Pierce is showing signs of life, shooting the ball better and back to taking two dumb fouls a game. Glen Davis and Tony Allen are making contributions off the bench and there was even a Rasheed Wallace sighting, adding a positive contribution here and there.

As good as all these players have played in the first two rounds of the playoffs, none of this occurs without Rajon Rondo. Much like college basketball has become reliant on point guard play, the same is also true among the elite teams in the NBA.

Rondo was the singularly dominant performer in Cleveland series, with his ability on offense and defense and he set the tone for Boston throughout.

After being a deplorable spread team all season, The C’s are 8-3 SU and ATS in the postseason and building confidence.

Part of that feeling is being supplied by coach Doc Rivers. The former Orlando coach is not going to dazzle anyone with his X and O work, which is why he brought in assistant coach Tom Thibodeau to make the strategic moves. Like a smart boss, Rivers understands his strengths and weaknesses and surrounds himself with people that compliment his skill set.
This sets up as fascinating series, especially at point guard with Rondo vs. Nelson. If either gains an edge, their team automatically has a greater chance of winning.

Watching Orlando pass the ball on offense is like a video game or pinball machine. The ball is continually in motion at various angles and if a Magic player is open, he’ll be found. This places a premium on Boston defenders to stay with their man and have arms extended to tip passes or have body parts in passing lanes. If not, the 3-point party starts for Orlando.

Pierce and Allen can certainly matchup with Vince Carter and Matt Barnes and if they can gain the upper hand they could frustrate them since they’ve played more scrimmage games than actual hard-nose basketball recently.

Orlando won three of four meetings this season (2-2 ATS). You can presume the home court not to mean much just like last year playoff series, when the road team won three times. The Magic might be the best team in basketball, nonetheless that doesn’t mean they won’t be tested by this proud bunch from Boston who believes they can win it all again.

3Daily Winners Pick- Orlando (-260) in seven over Boston (+210)

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Cavs and Suns look to do their thang on Mother's Day

Who could blame Boston GM Danny Ainge for waving something else this time, like the surrender flag after watching his team get pummeled on their home court by Cleveland. The Cavaliers, with the NBA’s most famous elbow, will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series on Sunday afternoon. Later, catch a gander of Phoenix on Mother’s Day, who is unbelievably going for the sweep of San Antonio, after three sharp performances against what has been their biggest nemesis.

Cleveland at Boston 3:30E ABC

At least for Game 3, LeBron James elbow was just fine, since the only pain felt was by Boston on the receiving end of 21 of his 38 points in the opening 12 minutes. The Celtics efforts of gaining home court advantage were vanquished within roughly 30 minutes real time as Cleveland led 36-17 after the first quarter.

“It started with me tonight. Everyone else saw my aggression and took advantage of it,” James said. “I think rest helped me; rest helped all of us, and we were able to put together a complete game for the first time in these playoffs.” This major announcement moved Cleveland to 11-2 ATS record in the second round of the playoffs.

The Celtics have gone from looking like wise veterans to golden oldies throughout the three contests in this series are in a world of hurt without Paul Pierce who continues to be a non-factor. Pierce is shooting 31 percent for the series and 25 percent from beyond the arc and is a shell of the player that was leading his team over Cleveland two years ago.

“We just need Paul to be aggressive,” forward Kevin Garnett said Saturday. “On both ends. Period.”

Pierce has the toughest matchup on the floor, having to guard James and trying to beat the younger, stronger Akron native, who was an All-Defensive team selection this season. “Obviously we do want to get him (Pierce) involved more, he has to get his rhythm better,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after practice.

Equally as disturbing is the C’s lack of aggressiveness at home, where they are pedestrian 27-18 at TD Garden, with ghastly 15-29-1 ATS record. Boston is 10-21 ATS in home whites revenging a loss over the last two seasons.

Cleveland again opened as one-point road favorites, with the total up to 197. The wagering public took the bait in Boston and sent them off as Game 3 single point faves. It will be interesting to see what they do this time since the Celtics are 3-12 ATS in downtown Boston when the total is between 195 and 199.5 points. Coach Rivers club is 16-6 OVER off an upset loss as a home favorite.

It will also be noteworthy to view the Cavs state of mind since they have had one complete game in three and are 18-7 ATS after a blowout win by 20 points or more, winning by 13.3 points a contest. The Cavaliers usually bring a defensive mentality into Sunday’s with 21-7 UNDER record the two seasons.

Phoenix at San Antonio 8:00E TNT

It’s unusual enough to see Phoenix up 3-0 over San Antonio, but it has been the manner in which it has occurred. The Suns have taken it to the Spurs time and again and most of their rebuttals have been have lacked the necessary punch.

Much like a prize fighter having knocked out opponents for years, San Antonio finds themselves trying to land haymakers and the opponent is not flinching when struck, which has to hurt the team’s psyche.

The Suns have so confounded the Spurs, even coach Gregg Popovich has made atypical judgments that have not worked.

San Antonio is 12-23 ATS at the AT&T Center revenging a defeat, but they can’t be entirely blamed since who could possibly have foreseen of the Phoenix lineups that have worked.
In Game 2 it was Amare Stoudemire and a group of players known only to Phoenix fans that that fueled a second quarter rally that got Los Suns back to even at halftime and the regulars took care of the rest from there forward.

On Friday night, with Steve Nash, Jason Richardson and Stoudemire on the bench to start the fourth quarter and trailing by a point, coach Alvin Gentry unleashed the “Slovenian slayer” Goran Dragic, who scored 17 points in five minutes in the deciding quarter and 23 all told in the last frame to send Spurs away totally bewildered.

"I knew I was hot," Dragic said, "so I just wanted to have the ball during the pick-and-roll. On a lot of those plays, I had Tim Duncan on my side, and Coach told me if you feel it, shoot it." He and even faster Leandro Barbosa abused the Spurs defensive tactics for 39 points combined, while committing only one turnover.

The Suns are 13-4 ATS away after a combined score of 205 points or more three straight games this season and let’s be truthful, who really wants to play this club right now.

Phoenix actually went off a seven-point underdog in last contest, no more, now down to 3.5-points with 22-8-1 ATS record off a cover. This one is about pride for San Antonio who is 9-3-1 ATS as home favorite, however the Suns bring such an unknown as to what player or groups of players that could rise and shine, the Spurs have to have their heads on swivel trying to figure out where Phoenix will attack next.

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Boston vs. Cleveland Series Preview

The first conflict of the conference semi-finals will take place in Cleveland, when Boston’s veteran team pays a visit. The Cavaliers are deep and varied team and are still a -125 futures wager to be the NBA champions later in June, while Boston fooled many by not being the old fogies many had believed against Miami and hurried the Heat out of the playoffs. This has been a series where the home teams have ruled the last several years.

(1) Cleveland vs (4) Boston

The waves were crashing on the north side of Lake Erie in Canada, some as high as six feet, as Cleveland fans got the news that nothing was structurally wrong with LeBron James right elbow and they let out a collective “Whew”.

The Cavaliers have a number of edges coming into this series in the personnel department and will look to exploit them. James is the best player in the NBA and plays the type of unselfish basketball that benefits all his teammates. From the Sports Network we find LeBron is only player in NBA history to accumulate at least 1,900 points, 525 rebounds and 475 assists in his first 65 career postseason games.

The Cleveland guards are not spectacular, but don’t need to be. Mo Williams and Anthony Parker mostly position themselves away from the ball on offense for weakside jump shots and three pointers. Antawn Jamison and his array of shots is the extra scorer coach Mike Brown needed when teams double and triple James. Shaquille O'Neal is shadow of his former self, but with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and energetic Anderson Varejao, the Cavaliers really have options in the paint.

Since James arrived, this is the deepest team he’s been a part with Delonte West and Jamario Moon also adding their skills. Cleveland’s greatest strength as a team is their defense and opponents have converted just 44.2 percent against them. The Cavs start this series 14-4 ATS versus good shooting teams making 48 percent of their shots.

Boston proved that five players is better than one taking down Miami and faces a more daunting challenge in the Cavs, whom they eliminated in the postseason two years ago. The Grim Reaper had been reported on the team bus for most of the second half of the season, but the Celtics had several different players step up, like Ray Allen in last series.

Rajon Rondo is lightning quick and for the most part more than compensates for a below average jump shot. He rebounds, penetrates into the lane to score or finds open teammate and though not a great one-on-one defender, he use his quickness to makes steals and get into passing lanes. He and Allen have to dominate the Cleveland guards in scoring and rebounding.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have visibly slowed and this is area Boston can’t be destroyed or this series moves along swiftly. Along with Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace (a washout), Pierce and KG are going to have to total 50-60 points each game unless the guards play exemplarily. The C’s come in 9-3-1 ATS as playoff underdogs.

If Boston doesn’t play with the needed energy and gumption, this is five game series if James is 90 to 100 percent. The teams divided four contests and the Over was 4-0. Cleveland is 8-1 and 7-2 ATS at Quicken Loans Arena vs. the Celtics, however they are 1-9 (7-3 ATS) in Boston and will have to deal with boisterous crowd and excited old geezers not ready to call it quits.

3Daily Winners Pick- Cleveland (-425) in six over Boston (+355)

Elderly Celtics in fine betting system

For over two and half months, the Boston Celtics had listened to how old they have gotten, with 17-19 record since Christmas Day and crushing backers with 12-22-2 ATS record in the same time span. Critics of the team thought Boston should replace the Gatorade bottles with Geritol to get more iron and minerals into this aging group. (Blog rumors of Neutrogena use in Celtics locker room for age spots have proven unfounded)

On March 15, Boston (47-26) had apparently had enough of this “old men” talk and started playing basketball as most had expected from them, winning six of seven and covering five times. Doc Rivers club was in a position to make a statement that they indeed were turning the corner, hosting a sizzling San Antonio squad at home as 3.5-point favorites this past Sunday.

Instead, the Celtics were lamentable, missing 13 of 14 three-point shot heaves, shooting 37 percent for the game, on the way to a season low in scoring of 73 points in 21-point thrashing.

Even post-game comments were not about to change people’s perception that this Boston team was turning into the USS Constitution (known as ‘Old Ironsides’), which is stationed in the nearby harbor.

“This does not change our progress,” said 13-year veteran Ray Allen unconvincingly. “You trip up a little here, but it doesn’t change the mission we’re on or the direction we’re heading.”

The Celtics have had over 69 hours to think about Spurs debacle and get ready for one of the young and up and coming teams in the NBA, Oklahoma City (45-28). The Thunder is in sixth place in the Western Conference, led by Kevin Durant and a host of several exciting and skilled players all under 25 years of age. Oklahoma City has been one of finest bets in the NBA all season, ranked third at 43-30 ATS.

Boston on the other hand is play against material, ranked 29th at 30-41-2 ATS, due to incredibly poor home record of 11-24-1 ATS.

Can the C’s turn it around quickly? DiamondSportsbook.com oddsmakers have made Boston 3.5-point favorites, even with Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins listed as questionable and today’s super situation gives them more than fighting chance.

Play On home teams off an upset loss by 15 points or more as a favorite, playing with two days’ rest.

In the last five years, this sweltering system is 27-6 ATS, 81.8 percent and it has been even sharper in the past three seasons at 18-3 against the spread. The outcomes generally have been more comfortable than a Therapeutic Bed, with the home town team winning by 9.6 points per game.

Take a moment or two to review today’s top betting system.

Cavs visit Beantown tonight

The Cleveland Cavaliers ended their three game losing streak with a 105-95 non-cover over New Orleans Tuesday, next up is to end losing skid that goes back years. Cleveland has made nine trips to Boston and has come up on the short end of the score each time. The last time the Cavs (44-14, 28-29-1 ATS) won at TD Garden was Jan. 3, 2007 and they are 6-3 ATS in those visits, which is little consolation unless you are a sports bettor.

There has been a great deal of doom and gloom surrounding Cleveland’s recent slide and the fact they are 1-6 ATS in last seven, but a certain high profile Cavs player tries to put things into perspective.

“There’s 82 games in the regular season. You’ll have ups and downs,” said LeBron James. “We’ve had way more ups than downs. We have the best record in the Eastern Conference and one of the best records in the league. You can go two or three games where you don’t win a game. That’s not our worries.”

Cleveland’s recent struggles have had to do with defense. Coach Mike Brown’s squad prior to last game had allowed 100 or more points in five of previous six contests. Before this, the Cavs surrendered that many points over a span of 26 games, showing the decline in effort. They will seek reversal and are 8-4 ATS off a victory.

Like anything in life, it could be worse, like being a loyal Boston Celtics (36-19, 21-33-1 ATS)bettor. Boston has won four of last five, but for Celtics backers, betting the C’s is similar to getting a hot stock tip that the Hummer is coming back strong, with 8-18-1 ATS record since Dec. 27.

General Manager Danny Ainge was being barbequed in Boston until he made the bold moves to bring in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, which restored Celtics pride and brought them a championship. This would have never happened had Boston lost the top pick in the draft in the lottery, which would have brought Kevin Durant and the Celtics would more likely resemble Oklahoma City, than the current model.

Like most GM’s in the NBA, do one thing right and you have a free pass for years. Ainge thought Rasheed Wallace would be good fit for the green and white and he probably more than any other player exemplifies what is wrong with Boston this season and in part explains why they are 3-8 ATS off a SU win.

Wallace isn’t close to being the defense player he was even two years ago when his skills were diminishing. He was supposed to add scoring in the paint, however as 82games.com points out, over 80 percent of his shots come outside the lane and like in recent years he believes he’s Ray Allen deep, despite shooting 28.4 percent beyond the arc. One more thing, guard Rajon Rondo averages more rebounds per game than Wallace (4.4 vs 4.2).

No question injuries have played a part in Boston’s season and Paul Pierce is doubtful for this evening. The Celtics are 6-18-1 ATS at home and 1-7-1 ATS with a day between contests.
Bookmaker.com has Cleveland as 1.5-point faves and they are 7-3 ATS with one day of rest and they are 5-1-1 OVER this month after scoring 100 or more points. Boston has covered 17 of last 25 Thursday assignments and is 20-8 UNDER on this day of the week going back even further.

This confrontation of Eastern powers begins just after 8:00 in East time zone on TNT and the home team is 16-1 SU, though just 8-8-1 ATS in previous 17 meetings.

NBA offers two tough choices Thursday

Though injuries are a part of the game in any sport, it seems this season more games than ever are releasing later numbers on sides and totals. Kobe Bryant is the reason for the Lakers and Boston matchup coming out later than what most would prefer and based on his comments yesterday, he’s 50-50 at best for tonight. Both Denver and Cleveland have dealt with their fair share of missed games by key players and now Nuggets coach George Karl will begin treatment again for cancer, adding another factor to consider. Betting the NBA is difficult enough besides trying to figure out other variables.

Cleveland improves, while Denver mulls future

The Cavaliers front office is looking to make sure they do everything in their power to set up LeBron James and teammates for a return visit to the NBA Finals. Yesterday, they engineered a three-way trade that brings Antawn Jamison to town from Washington, giving them one more scoring option within 15 feet of the basket. No word if the long time Wizard star will be there for tonight’s game on time, however it would seem he would relish the chance to be a club with a true chance to win a title and would try to get to Cleveland by air, bus or even driving a Toyota.

Cleveland (43-11, 28-25-1 ATS) has mowed down 13 straight opponents (8-5 ATS) as they prepare for first game in a week and the Cavaliers are 17-7 ATS playing against a team with a winning record this season. “I think our team is built to win a championship,” James said. “With the group of guys we have here, if we continue to get better, we’re headed in the right direction.” King James has been doing his part, averaging 33.5 points a game in last six contests prior to All-Star break.

Denver (35-18, 24-26-3 ATS) has seen stars Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony miss considerable time this season, yet they’ve been able to hear that one voice in the locker room, on the practice floor and the one on bench during games. The importance of coaching in the NBA has been debated for decades, since the teams with the best talent usually win; nonetheless, a coach today has to know how to massage massive egos, while challenging his players to get better. What the loss of Karl will mean is impossible to gauge at the moment.

It was shocking just to hear it,” forward Kenyon Martin told the Nuggets’ official Web site. “He told us he’s battled it before so he knows what it takes to get right. He’s going to do all he can to get his body right and his health together and we’re going to do all we can to make sure the basketball end is taken care of.” A rested Denver squad is good for the Nuggets with 28-12 ATS record when playing four or less games in 10 days over the last two seasons.

Bookmaker.com has Cleveland as 6.5-point favorites with 206 point total and it will be worth watching to see if they can keep up same pace of 15-2 ATS record in home games after two straight outings converting 50 percent of their shots or better. Denver has quickie two game road sojourn and is 26-10 ATS after consecutive home contests.

This is the opener on TNT starting at 8:00 Eastern and the Nuggets are 4-8 SU and ATS in last dozen visits to what Forbes is now calling “America’s most miserable city”. Denver is also 21-7 UNDER as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons.

Kobe, where are you?

Less than three weeks ago, the Celtics and Lakers matchup were being sold to the masses as one of the greatest games of all time with the ESPN/ABC hype machine in overdrive. This time at 10:30 on the East Coast, not so much. Other factors are also playing a role why this contest, still meaningful, lacks the panache this time around.

Start with Kobe Bryant, unlikely to play with bad wheel, which would make five straight games without him for the Lakers. Los Angeles (42-13, 25-28-2 ATS) is still an extremely talented club and they have reeled off four wins in a row in his absence, covering three of them. It would also make sense for Bryant not to play, since the Lakers don’t play again until next Tuesday, buying even more time for him. L.A. is 26-4 and 14-15-1 ATS at the Staples Center, winning by 9.9 points per game.

This is the middle game of a five-game road trip for Boston (33-18, 19-31-1 ATS) and rumors continue to swirl the Celtics are trying to deal Ray Allen for a younger shooting guard. Boston is 8-10 since Jan. 8, hardly championship material and backers have spoken with great turgidity about 4-13-1 ATS record in that span.

One belief Boston fans have is Paul Pierce will play well, as the Los Angeles native has averaged 27.1 points a game in 10 visits against the Lakers. Boston won, but failed to cover two nights ago in Sacramento and is 10-19-1 ATS after a non-cover this season and will be a four-point road underdog, trying to improve on inept 1-10-1 ATS mark against Pacific Division clubs.

The Lakers go for fifth win in a row and sweep of Celtics and off their 104-94 win Tuesday over Golden State, are 7-1-1 ATS after scoring 100 or more points. L.A. is just 1-4 ATS hosting Boston in last five tries, though the favorite is 5-2-1 ATS in previous eight regular season encounters.

Cavs and Nuggets will finally have somebody to play

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had more off days than an Ohio congressman, during the postseason, playing eight games in the past 30 days. The second seeded Denver Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs and will be in Conference Finals for the first time since 1985. Presently, they are second all-time in postseason scoring differential at +15.6 points per game, to the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks of 1971 and could have never guessed it would be them waiting to find out whom they will play. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are the home favorites; can they deliver and match up with anxious opponents?

Houston at L.A. Lakers 3:30E ABC

Before the series began, I did run across a few different guys from the various major sports websites that had this series going seven games. Of course, everyone one of them expected Yao Ming to play in all seven contests, not the 42.1 percent he will credited with. So what’s the deal for Game 7?

In the history of the NBA playoffs, if ever one series showed what determination and desire could do against an obviously more talented team, this one fits the bill. Even Houston knows it. “We’re not talented enough to play with this (Lakers) team,” Shane Battier said.

He’s right, but there is one huge difference, you slug the Lakers in the mouth, maybe they throw a punch back and maybe they don’t. This has to be Rockets coach Rick Adelman’s strategy. ALL of the pressure is on the Lakers, who have lost two or three more games in this series than the majority of people would have believed.

Houston has to continue to run screens that leave Aaron Brooks wide open, pound the ball into Luis Scola until the Los Angeles has any answer and keep fingers crossed Ron Artest and Battier can keep making shots. Houston might be 6-1-1 ATS playing with two days rest, but the smartest thing they can do is play a game that mentally tests how much the Lakers REALLY want to get into 94-feet of physical, tough-minded basketball.

Phil Jackson has received criticism for three non-efforts by his team in this series and while it is the coach’s responsibility to have his team prepared, these are professional basketball players, who are handsomely paid give effort, especially when the stakes are at their highest. In every championship Jackson has produced, he’s always had that second guy, who was almost as feared as the leader of the team, Michael and Scottie, Shaq and Kobe. Now its Kobe and ____ (If you think of someone, please fill in).

Who among you doesn’t expect Los Angeles to play better today? The oddsmakers at DiamondSportsbook.com still do, making them 12.5-point favorites with total of 194. The Lakers have covered their last four losses and have had plenty of team to soul search (7-2 ATS, with two days off). Maybe each Laker fills up bathtub with water and looks into it and asks them self is this reflection of a champion?

The Lakers need 10 players with the mindset of doing their individual jobs, nothing more, nothing less. Coach Jackson has to strongly suggest to each player to stay within capabilities, not force the action, stay within the team concept and fight for rebounds and outwork Houston for loose balls.

The Rockets 2-10 ATS off an upset win as an underdog this season, showing their vulnerability, it’s just how bad do the Lakers want it compared to Houston?

Orlando at Boston 8:00E TNT

Nobody should be shocked this game is being played, it is just how we got here is the madness. Each team has won and covered a trio of tilts, with the Under leading 4-2 in the series. Boston is a 2.5-point favorite, with 186.5-point total.

Orlando wins if Dwight Howard brings same mindset from Game 6 and savagely controls the glass and stays aggressive in wanting the ball. (A few more made free throws only enhances value) The Magic convert 37.4 percent of shots behind the arc, they have to be in the 30’s for Game 7 to have a shot on the road, not 6 for 26 like last contest. Bench J.J. Redick already, he offers little as player unless he makes shots and he’s been given ample time to show he can against Boston. Get Courtney Lee back in starting lineup, even if he has to wear mask of the Joker. Run offense to get Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis to their favorite spots on the floor and let them chuck it up. Orlando is 15-5 ATS as a road underdog of three points or less and knows they can win; they just have to believe it, when it counts most.

Boston wins if Orlando continues to let Rajon Rondo run free. Rondo picked off 16 rebounds for the Celtics and helped keep them in the game until the very end. Coach Doc Rivers must convince Rondo, a slick Bob Cousy pass from yesteryear is not his best option and instead make the right safe pass to assist team. Find a way to isolate Ray Allen for a couple of 12-15 foot wide open looks early, to build quick confidence and possibly the vet gives you 25-30 points in a game the C’s need most. Keep Paul Pierce away from Ray Allen by 20 feet or more on offense, this frees up both players to help offense. Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis have to be wiser with Howard. Make him start offense two feet further away from basket and Howard instigates contact, absorb and let his limited offensive moves find some other way to tickle the twine.

The Celtics are 12-4 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog and are 22-9 ATS after scoring 75 points or less. Like most any boxing champ, the only way Boston does down is by knockout, not by hanging with them for 45 minutes, particularly on the road and hope you can close them out. It means too much to this team to not fight every step of the way.

This is Orlando’s chance to show the new guard is taking over the East, Cleveland’s established them self and the Magic could go right with them. Orlando’s 11-2 ATS in road games after allowing 80 points or less, do they trust themselves enough to complete the task and travel to Northern Ohio?

Will Magic and Rockets Profit at Home?

Two NBA series are tied at a game a piece and will switch venues for Game 3 of the series. Both Orlando and Houston were surprising opening game winners and both were beaten rather decidedly, at least by the final score of the last contest. Both teams gave the thumbs up in earning a split and will play before the home folks looking to maintain edge they enjoyed by winning on the road. The third game of a series tends to be the most critical; this should be no different Friday night.

Boston at Orlando 7:00 E ESPN

Being an Orlando Magic fan or financial supporter is not easy these days, as it’s become fairly certain, what you are going to get from game to game is unnerving. Since April’s Fools Day appropriately enough, Orlando is 9-8 with a peeked 6-11 spread record. Apologists will talk about lack of incentive, but wouldn’t having home court advantage in this series been worth the fight?

The Philadelphia series was way more challenging than expected, with Orlando players either going thru the motions or more generous than Mickey Mouse handing out treats, as the Magic blew one lead after another.

Orlando has won two of last three games with Dwight Howard not making an offensive impact. He sat out last game in Sixers series due to suspension and has had 16 and 12 points versus a depleted Boston frontline. Howard is not known as a great ball-handler or typically inspired passer. In Game 2 he led the Magic with five turnovers and the only even remotely comfortable looking passes he made were to a teammate’s right in front of him.

Orlando is 34-10 and 24-20 ATS at the Amway Arena and 9-1 ATS on its home floor after a loss by 10 or more points. The Magic will have to bring the passion they lacked in last encounter, as assuredly Boston will bring be mentally ready just like they were in exact same circumstance in last series against Chicago, where they routed the Bulls 107-86 as four point underdogs.

Coach Stan Van Gundy by game time will have talked about the importance of controlling Rajon Rondo, who had triple-double. The Celtics are 12-2 ATS off a home win scoring 110 or more points this season and have vets like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen well-versed in dealing with these exact situations. Van Gundy might have rookie guard Courtney Lee back, who is recovering from a fractured sinus and the rest of the team should be more comfortable at home.

Orlando is a 4.5-point favorite according to DiamondSportsbook.com, with total of 189. The Magic are 26-6 ATS off a road loss and 14-5 UNDER off consecutive road games. Boston is 15-4 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons and 12-3 UNDER in road games after a blowout win by 15 points or more.

The road team has covered four of last five meetings.

L.A. Lakers at Houston 9:30 E ESPN

In the fourth quarter of Game 2, TNT analyst Doug Collins said “This much emotion and physical play and its only the second game of the series!” Whatever the Los Angeles Lakers had in mind after breezing thru defenseless Utah, they’ve receiving a barrage reminiscent of Manny Pacquiao from the Houston Rockets.

Houston was the clear aggressor in the first contest and continually took the action to the Lakers, who seldom responded and the Rockets didn’t steal it, they did what Smith Barney used to do – earned it the old fashion way.

That set the table for Lakers to counter-punch (if you will) and their mindset was clearly different. Phil Jackson’s club started fast, but thanks to the hard work of Carl Landry off the bench, Houston caught the Lakers by halftime at 57 a piece. The Lakers went back to getting the ball out on the break and persistently taking it to the rim and reasserted control. The Rockets were plagued by 19 turnovers and let L.A. play their game in the second half.

Though Andrew Bynum was a complete non-factor (nine minutes, three fouls) Houston did a preposterously poor job in getting Yao Ming the ball. No doubt Ming could have been more pugnacious about demanding the ball, since he only had four shot attempts for the game (6 of 7 free throws). The big man was bothered by the quickness of Pau Gasol and must do a better job of keeping him on one hip to secure basketball. The Rockets have rebounded from large losses with 10-2 ATS mark after double digit defeat.

Ron Artest has enjoyed a very good series and been a thorn in the side of the Lakers, he needs to keep his composure (easier said than done) and be able to play the entire game without be asked to depart. Houston is 36-8 at the Toyota Center (21-22-1 ATS) and are 1.5-point underdogs with total of 194.5. This will be just the third time the Rockets will be catching points at home this season, with this being the second time against L.A. It makes sense Kobe Bryant and mates are favored, as they are league best 30-13 (23-19 ATS) as visitors and 8-3-1 ATS in this round of action.

You have to contemplate if the oddsmakers are suggesting Houston is in trouble in Game 3, with the total at the highest level of the series. Since 2005, the Rockets are 3-8 and 2-9 ATS if Los Angeles scores 100 or more points. Houston is 14-6 ATS in underdog role of 4.5 or less points.

Boston Backed Up in Must Win

The Boston Celtics came out flatter than a single nine-inch round pancake against Orlando and paid the price. They could be excused for being fatigued after strenuous seven game series against Chicago, which had them go way beyond the call of duty, having to play seven overtime periods. One problem with this thought process, this is the NBA playoffs and the idea is to win four games in series and move on or considered to be loser of sorts and be sent home.

Orlando at one point of the series first game owned a 28-point lead and only as the New York Mets could do; they gave virtually all of it back in 95-90 survival game. The Magic have proven they are not Tiger Woods with a lead, having blown four leads of 15 or more points in seven playoff games this year, yet finding them selves in time to win three of those contests.

Even the Orlando players were not thrilled with outcome. “Even though we won the game, everybody’s making it seem like it was a disaster game,” said Magic forward Rashard Lewis. “We were highly upset in the locker room after our win, so that kind of shows you that we’re hungry.”

Nevertheless, Orlando continues to treat home teams like prisoners, having them extradited to the loss column time and again with 30-15 record, which includes a dazzling 29 covers.

Boston is 7-1 ATS following a spread loss and while some make take comfort in huge comeback by Celtics, don’t count coach Doc Rivers among them. “I look at last night as a loss. That’s more important to me than the fact that we had a fool’s gold run at the end of the game. That didn’t do it for me. That meant nothing.” –Rivers stated.

The Celtics have now lost three consecutive games to Orlando and is 20-8 ATS when playing with triple revenge, though the margin of victory has only been 2.5-points per game. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in particular have to be ready from center tap and be aggressive on shot-making and defense. Boston has to challenge Dwight Howard and see if they can make him take a couple of bad fouls, opening up their offense. On defense, they are not the same without Kevin Garnett on the floor; however that doesn’t preclude them of putting more effort and taking record to 32-14 ATS revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last three seasons.

Coach Stan Van Gundy probably wishes he could save all his timeouts for the fourth quarter to remind his players the 7’0 dude with the broad shoulders is on their team. Once teams start making runs at the Magic, who has the lead, they act like Dwight Howard is being quadrupled-teamed and hoist one silly three-pointer after another that becomes a defensive rebound going the other way.

Howard wiped the glass clean for 22 rebounds in the opener, but his 16 points were a function of lack of touches. Keep Howard involved and Orlando moves to 10-0 ATS in road games versus good shooting teams making 48 percent or more of their shots.

The oddsmakers at DiamondSports.com didn’t budge off same opening line of Boston favored by 2.5-points, however the wagering public has offered a few Franklin’s to force change line. In Game 1, sports bettors moved Orlando down to 1.5 point underdogs by game time. Tonight, they see the opposite occurring and have raised Boston up to four-point pick.

TNT will provide Game 2 coverage, with the dog barking ferociously with four covers in a row.

Chicago and Boston Game 7- Bettors Dilemma

Between the jaw-dropping individual displays, crisp team play and dramatic twists, it’s only fitting that this thrilling first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls comes to a seventh game. And what a way to get there. The Bulls prevailed 128-127 in triple overtime on Thursday to tie the series at three games and send it back to Boston for the finale on Saturday night, with the winner advancing to play Orlando.

Think about what has occurred. A league record four games have gone into overtime and one other was last second buzzer beater. Subtract Game 3 from the equation; Chicago has outscored Boston by one point in the other five games combined. There has been seven total overtimes. If you like your action close with an ebb and flow, no problem here, with 65 ties and 106 lead changes in the series.

This series has also played havoc with totals players. Unless you have been riding the Over, which is 5-1, on three different occasions the Under would have been the correct play had the game not gone to overtime.

“If I had to just sit back and I wasn’t a player and think about these games, this is great for the fans,” Boston’s Paul Pierce said. “Everybody is getting their money’s worth.”

And the defending champions are certainly getting a run for theirs.

Now, the Celtics are trying to avoid elimination after watching an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter disappear and wasting a 51-point effort by Ray Allen that ranks among the greatest postseason displays in the storied franchise’s history.

The Bulls, meanwhile, have a chance to become the first seventh seed to knock off the second seed since New York beat Miami in 1998, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Some have theorized this game is a certain Over, given the fact of the final scores. You can’t ignore the Bulls are 17-5 OVER when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season, when they have played their best basketball and with the Celtics 15-4 OVER in home games versus good offensive teams scoring 99 or points a game, it makes sense.

However, oddsmakers like those at Bookmaker.com has set the second lowest total of the series, since invariably, a Game 7 comes down to defense, of course unless they play overtime again.

So what’s next? Quadruple overtime?

“Coming into this series, I don’t think anyone imagined it to turn out like this,” Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich said. “We thought we could be competitive, but for the games to be such crazy, back-and-forth action, it’s really incredible.”

Boston is listed as six-point favorite and they are 53-37 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons and understands this won’t be easy. “We didn’t think it was going to be a walk in the park,” Allen said.

It’s been anything but that.

The Bulls took the opener in Boston 105-103 in overtime because of Rose’s 36 points and 11 assists, after Pierce missed the potential winning free throw at the end of regulation and had a potential tying basket blocked with 3.7 seconds left in overtime.

In Game 2, Allen won a shootout with fellow former UConn star Ben Gordon and the Celtics prevailed 118-115 in regulation. True, Gordon outscored him 42-30, but Allen hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer at the end of regulation.

While Game 3 in Chicago was a 107-86 romp for Boston, the thrills were far from over.
Game 4 was a particularly wild one, with the Bulls winning 121-118 in double overtime.
Allen hit the tying 3 late in regulation and Gordon did the same in the first overtime, burying one with 4.5 seconds remaining. And in the second OT, Salmons blocked Pierce’s potential tying 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining.

But in Game 5 in Boston, the Bulls let an 11-point fourth-quarter lead dissolve into a 106-104 overtime loss because of some big shots by Pierce down the stretch. The Bulls still had a chance to tie it after Pierce made the go-ahead shot over Salmons with 3.4 seconds left, but Rondo hit Brad Miller in the mouth as he rolled toward the rim, leaving him bloody and woozy. Miller missed both free throws—the second intentionally—and the Celtics hung on. Yet, somehow, Game 6 trumped all that.

Now, the Bulls have a chance to knock off the defending champs. Not bad, considering they struggled for much of the season, but the trade that brought Salmons and Miller from Sacramento certainly helped.

“If they had this team for the full year, they’d be a top four seed,” Boston’s Kendrick Perkins said.

Boston has yet to cover on there home court in this series and is 1-11 ATS as playoff favorite of five to 10.5 points. Chicago on the other hand is 15-3-2 ATS as underdogs the last 20 times the linemaker has assigned them in that role.

Their have been exactly 100 Game 7’s in NBA history and only six have gone to overtime, which logic dictates makes this contest unlikely to so. Nevertheless, there has never been a series like this, leaving the door open to anything being possible.

The answers unfold on TNT starting at 8 Eastern.

Andrew Seligman AP Sports writer contributed to this article.

Lakers Playing Respect Card in Beantown

Revenge can be such an ugly word and today’s athlete doesn’t always find it to be a compelling argument to go out and give it everything you have. Choose a different say, “embarrassment” or even worse “disrespect” those are fightin’ words in this era. Players of today make a lot of money, which leads to bigger egos and when their friends and hangers on tell them they were essentially Punk’d, that’s not going to sit well. For the Los Angeles Lakers, they return to Boston for the first time since Game Six of the NBA finals, where they embarrassed 131-92.

“We had our most disappointing moments on that Boston Celtic court in Game 6,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson stated. “To be not only beaten, but humiliated, in a game like that to end the series, and have them celebrating and throwing (stuff) all over the court, disrupting the game with 2 1/2 minutes left to go. It was in your face and everybody remembers that. There’s a certain element of, you know, we have some serious work to do.”

The Lakers (39-9, 24-23-1 ATS) relieved some of that embarrassment on Christmas Day, with their 92-83 win as two-point home favorites. Back then Boston was in the midst of playing their worst basketball of the season, winning twice in nine games. The competitive nature of elite athletes, they want to beat others who are also at their best, which is exactly where the Celtics are at present, having won 12 in a row (9-3 ATS).

For L.A., this almost becomes a crusade of sorts with so many factors working against them.

Just like in last year’s finals, the purple-clad Lakers will be without center Andrew Bynum, who will miss eight to 12 weeks after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. This will be game five of a six-game road trip (4-0 SU and ATS) and doesn’t go unnoticed in the Lakers locker room; this will be their fifth game in seven days, having to play last night in Toronto, while Boston had the night off. Bryant and the Lakers will try and build on recent success which has them 12-3 ATS playing back to back road games.

Pau Gasol tried to sum up the team’s feelings. “Last time we played there it was a pretty bad game for us,” he said. “I’m looking forward to bounce back there and prove a point.”

Boston (28-22 ATS) will be hell-bent on defending their own turf, where they are 24-2 and 16-10 ATS. The Celtics have followed up winning the championship, with quite an encore thus far with 41-9 record, best in the NBA. They will welcome back Kevin Garnett who has missed the last two games due to illness and look to sustain winning ways. Boston is 11-3 ATS in home games after having won eight or more of their last 10 games this season.

Bookmaker.com has Boston as six-point pick with total of 204.5. The Celtics could have the edge being 12-2 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 200. The Lakers will attempt to counter posting 17-6 ATS record in road games after successfully covering the spread in two or more consecutive outings.

With contrasting styles of play, tempo will be important. L.A. is 17-4 OVER after three or more consecutive wins this season, winning by almost seven points a game. On the other hand, Paul Pierce and his gang (possibly poor choice of words) is 10-1 UNDER after scoring 100 points or more two straight contests, with average margin of victory 13 points.

The excitement starts at 8:05 Eastern on TNT with the C’s 4-1SU and ATS in last five meetings in Beantown.