| NBA Finals: Celtics look to put Lakers in 2-0 stanglehold |
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| Written by Neil Jordan | |||||||
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Saturday, 07 June 2008
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 The Boston Celtics have an amazing opportunity to take control of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, as they will host the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Banknorth Garden with a 1-0 series lead on their home court. BetOnline.com has the Lakers vs Celtics NBA Finals Game 2 at a Pickem with the total listed at 190 points.NBA MVP Kobe Bryant had an usually quiet night in Game 1's 98-88 loss, going 9-for-26 from the floor with 24 points, which was tied for the game high. Bryant was content to be the playmaker in the first half while getting his teammates involved, but the second-half explosion we have grown accustomed to seeing from Bryant never came, especially in the fourth quarter. Bryant's teammates fared well, however, as Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher had 15 points each, while Lamar Odom added 14 points for the Lakers, who were held to 41.5% from the field. Paul Pierce did much more than score 22 points in Game 1, as he also defended Bryant some of the time, as well as coming back from a knee injury that caused him to be carried back to the locker room. However, when Pierce emerged, he would spark a swing which would put the game in the Celtics' hands with a pair of three-pointers, and many will admit this was the turning point in the game. Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who had a 46-33 edge on the glass. The Celtics are 1-point favorites at home in this contest, and they would do well to take this game because even though they won two games in Detroit during the Eastern Conference finals, their ability to win away from Boston has come under fire. Expect to see an aggressive Bryant from the outset, and he will not let his team go down 0-2 heading back to Los Angeles. Take the Lakers to stage a mild upset and snatch Game 2 in Boston on Sunday. Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics – 9:00 PM ET Free NBA Finals Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers For more props and odds on NBA Finals, as well as a look at our brand-new and revamped Casino, visit BetOnline.com for the most exciting experience in the sports betting industry.                        |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 07 June 2008 ) | |||||||