Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics took care of business against the two most dominant teams in their respective conferences this decade. Now we have the series that everyone wanted to see and the one that I predicted before the playoffs even started. In my preseason 2008 NBA Playoff Predictions, I took the Celtics to win it all. Find out if Expert NBA Handicapper Jeff Alexander changed his tune over the course of the postseason in this 2008 NBA Finals Predictions article for Point-Spreads.com.
Why the Celtics will win the 2008 NBA Finals. SportsBetting.com has the Boston Celtics listed as the underdog at +160 odds. There are three reasons why the Celtics will add another championship to their storied tradition: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. Garnett and Pierce have been sensational throughout the playoffs on both ends of the floor. Allen has struggled, but his improved play in the Pistons series gives us reason to believe that he'll be at the top of his game in the Finals. Center Kendrick Perkins has stepped up his game a ton and will be very confident heading into this series as well. Boston was the best defensive team in the NBA all season long so if anyone can stop the Lakers high scoring attack, it's the Celtics.
Also, Boston was a blistering 25-5 against the Western Conference this season and a perfect 2-0 against the Lakers, winning by 19 at LA and 13 at home. I attribute Boston's success against the West to the fact that they play much better defense than Western teams are used to seeing in their own conference. Home court also is a nice advantage in Boston's favor which it has taken advantage of in these playoffs. Kevin Garnett's passion, energy, and will-to-win has taken Boston to this point so I don't expect to see him lacking any of those things in this series. Ultimately, he could be the difference.
Why the Lakers will win the 2008 NBA Finals. SportsBetting.com has the Los Angeles Lakers listed as the favorites with –200 odds. The Lakers have a big three of their own with MVP Kobe Bryant, Pao Gasol, and Lamar Odom. The matchup of the Big Threes could potentially play to a standstill. That's where guard Derek Fisher could give the Lakers a big advantage. He'll likely be matched up with inexperienced guard Rajon Rondo. The Celtics young point guard has had an up and down playoffs. Derek Fisher is known for his defense and his ability to knock down big shots. This appears to be a matchup where the Lakers can take advantage. Los Angeles also looks to have the edge in bench production with Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, and Ronny Turiaf playing big roles.
Kobe Bryant, like Garnett, possesses that extra energy and passion that few players around the league have. It's these things which allow him to completely take over games. Kobe hasn't tasted a championship for a while and with the way this season started out looking bleak for the Lakers, leading his franchise to another title would be the fitting end.
NBA Finals Predictions: Boston in 7. I liked the Celtics to win it all prior to the start of the postseason and I won't turn my back on them now. With the home court advantage and being a squad which plays better defense, I like the Boston Celtics to return to glory.
SportsBetting.com has posted basketball betting odds on various 2008 NBA Finals Predictions including Championship Series Betting Odds:
Los Angeles Lakers: -200
Boston Celtics: +160
2008 NBA Finals MVP Betting Odds:
Derek Fisher (Lakers): 20 – 1
Kevin Garnett (Celtics): 4 – 1
Kobe Bryant (Lakers): 1 – 3
Lamar Odom (Lakers): 15 – 1
Pau Gasol (Lakers): 12 – 1
Paul Pierce (Celtics): 4 – 1
Rajon Rondo (Celtics): 20 – 1
Ray Allen (Celtics): 15 – 1
Field (any other player): 15 – 1
