Celtics at Lakers NBA Playoffs Predictions

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The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s two most decorated franchises, are all set to face off yet again in the NBA Finals. The action starts Thursday, June 3rd at 9:00 pm EST on ABC and NBA odds makers have given Los Angeles the early advantage, listing the Lakers as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 191.5 in Game 1. In this article, I’ll discuss what each team needs to do to win. Then, I’ll make my overall series prediction. Looking for a place to bet on the NBA Finals? Bet your NBA picks at BetUS where our readers get $500 in free bonus cash!

What the Celtics need to do to win: When the Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals in six games, it was all about defense. Boston held the Lakers to 92 or fewer points in four of those games. Boston’s championship-caliber defense has returned, holding its opponents to 92 or fewer points in seven of its last nine games, and it comes as no surprise that the Celtics won each of those seven games. Boston was very physical with Dwight Howard in the post, and it will have to be every bit as physical with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum – players who don’t handle physical play as well as Howard. From an offensive standpoint, Rajon Rondo will need to have a Finals MVP-caliber series. He must make all the right plays with the ball in his hand. And he must also make life difficult for Derek Fisher the way Russell Westbrook did in round one. If Rondo can live in the paint, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, it will go a long way toward helping the Celtics raise another championship banner.

What the Lakers need to do to win: All the Lakers need to do to win this series is defend their home court since they have the home court advantage. The Lakers are a perfect 8-0 at home in the NBA playoffs. In fact, they have only lost seven time at home in 49 games this season. Another thing that will help L.A. win this series is its shot selection. The Lakers have gotten themselves in trouble at times in these playoffs when they have hoisted too many three-point shots. I expect the Celtics to pack it in on Gasol and company to force the Lakers to beat them from beyond the arc. It will be up to the Lakers to remain disciplined, working for shots inside via post-ups and drives.

Prediction: Lakers in 7 – I expect home court to be the difference in this series. The Lakers have been unstoppable at the Staples Center all season long and it has continued in the postseason. The Lakers are a better defensive team than they were when these teams faced off in the Finals two years ago. They aren’t as soft as they were two years ago either. The Lakers have won three of the last four meetings between these teams since they met in the 2008 Finals, including both meetings in Boston. It is worth noting that each of the last three games between these teams have been decided by a single point. That’s why I think this series will go the full seven games. You can bet the Lakers at -190 to win the 2010 NBA Finals.

Jimmy Boyd was an outstanding 8-4 in the conference finals, and he is on a dominant 54-35 NBA playoffs run overall. Get all of his expert basketball picks through Game 7 with his low-cost NBA Finals pass!

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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