Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics
Lakers Lead 2-1
Game 4: Thursday 9:00 pm EST on ABC
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With three games in the books, this dream matchup of two of the most storied franchises in the history of the NBA is living up to everyone’s expectations. The Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers won Game 3 on Tuesday night and have taken a 2-1 edge over the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics with Game 4 set to tip off on Thursday night at 9:00 P.M.
By virtue of the better regular season record the Lakers earned the home court advantage for this best-of-seven series. Unlike the first three rounds of the playoffs which utilized a 2-2-1-1 format, the finals use a 2-3-2 format for determining where the games are played.
In Game 1 LA came out firing on all cylinders; beating Boston by 13 points to win 102-89. Favored by 5 ½ points, the Lakers held the Celtics to just one three pointer on 10 attempts and outrebounded them 42-31. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 30 points and Pau Gasol added 23 points and 14 rebounds in a convincing win for the Lakers.
Game 2 was the Celtics turn to show why they belonged in the finals. This time Ray Allen put on a show from outside the three point line hitting on eight of 11 attempts to help lead Boston, who came into this one as a six point underdog, to a 103-94 win that swung the home court advantage back into their favor. He finished the night with 32 points while Rajon Rondo added 19 more along with 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the triple-double.
With the series shifting back to Boston for the next three games, Game 3 was an opportunity for both teams to take control of this series. As a 2 ½ point underdog the Lakers knew that a win in this one would restore the home court advantage they lost in Game 2. Despite a slow start where they found themselves trailing by seven early, LA kept chipping away at Boston and eventually was able to build a 12 point lead at the half. The Celtics fought back in the third cutting the lead to six, but Derek Fisher’s 11 point fourth quarter led the way to a crucial 91-84 win. Bryant led all scorers with 29 but it was Fisher’s tenacity on both offense and defense that really helped seal the win.
With this win the scales have certainly tipped in the Lakers favor. 10 times since the NBA shifted to the 2-3-2 format the team that won Game 3 to take a 2-1 series edge has successfully gone on the win the title all 10 times. While this one is far from over, Boston will now have to win the next two at home and then one on the road to add an 18th NBA Championship to their resume. Los Angeles on the other hand simply needs to win two out of the next four to notch their 16th World Title in franchise history.
The early line has Boston as a 3 ½ point favorite for Game 4 with the over/under line at 190. Given that both these teams have bounced back from tough losses with a strong performance in the next game along with the fact they are playing at home you would have to lean toward the Celtics to come out strong and even up the series at 2-2 with a win.
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Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:
- LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
- LA Lakers are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games
- LA Lakers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
- LA Lakers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games on the road
Boston Celtics Betting Trends:
- Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- Boston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
- Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Boston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
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