Celtics vs Lakers – Game 7

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Game 7- NBA Finals
Thursday June 17th 9:00 P.M. (ET)

Boston +7 (-110)
Los Angeles -7 (-110)
Over/Under 187

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Boston Celtics for the final and deciding Game 7 of their best-of-seven series in the 2010 NBA Finals on Thursday with tip off at 9:00 P.M. (ET).

After six games between these two storied franchises it all comes down to just one more to decide which team will be this year’s World Champion. If Boston can find a way to win one more on the road, they would extend their current NBA record to 18 titles in team history and their second in three years. If Los Angeles successfully defends their home court, it would be their 16th title in franchise history and their second in a row after winning it all last year.

Both teams have looked completely dominant as well as completely overwhelmed in this series so far as the most aggressive team on both sides of the ball has come away will relatively decisive wins in each of the first six games. Each team has won two games at home as the favorite and one on the road as an underdog. Los Angeles has won their three games by an average margin of 14 points with the closest one being their seven point 91-84 win in Game 3. Boston has won their three games by an average of 7.3 points with the closest one being a six point 92-86 win in Game 5.

Defense has been the name of the game in this series as each team has only scored over 100 points once; LA in Game 1 and Boston in Game 2. The final four games have all stayed well under the total line and there is no reason to think that will change in Game 7. For the series Boston has shot 43.7% from the field and 29.7% from three point range. They have averaged 37.5 rebounds and 88.5 points per game. In almost a mirror image, Los Angeles has shot 43.5 % from the field and 29.5% from three point range. They have averaged 40.7 rebounds and 91.8 points giving them the slight edge. The trick to interpreting these stats is to understand that each team has been way over and way under all these averages in various games in this series. While the series may be tied at three games apiece, the individual games have not really been that close.

As expected, Kobe Bryant is the leading scorer for LA; averaging 29.5 points per game. He is also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 4.16 assists. Pau Gasol is the only other Laker to average in double figures with 18.5 points per game and he has added 10.5 rebounds as well. Boston has been a bit more balanced in their scoring with Paul Pierce leading the way with 18 points per game. Kevin Garnett has averaged 15 per game and Ray Allen has averaged 14.8. Rajon Rondo is the fourth Celtic in double figures with 13.5 points per game.

If Boston is to have any chance to win they will need to force Bryant to beat them on his own by once again using an aggressive style of play that takes the rest of the Lakers out of the picture. All three of his best games statistically in this series have resulted in a loss. For Los Angeles to win they need one more big effort from Gasol and Ron Artest on both sides of the ball. Along with Bryant’s usual contribution, when these three guys are at the top of their game this team in almost impossible to beat, especially at home.

You work all season to earn home court advantage in the finals and this is when it pays off. LA is 11-1 SU in their last 12 at home and 4-2 SU against Boston in their last six played in LA. While only six teams in the history of the NBA have overcome a 3-2 deficit to win it all, after Thursday night that number will be seven.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends:

• Boston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
• Boston is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:

• LA Lakers are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games
• LA Lakers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at home
• LA Lakers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Boston