2008 NBA Finals Betting Odds

Written by Lucky Lester on June, 3rd 2008 | 0 Comments

L.A. Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Preview

And two stand to tell the story - Boston and LA, two of basketballs most famed franchises meet for a chance to etch their name on basketball’s historic trophy. The Celtics needed 2 early 7th game wins to punch their ticket to the Big Show while LA paved their way through the west without ever facing elimination. Will one path help more than the other or is this series already a foregone conclusion? This will be the first time since Michael Jordan left the bulls, that the finals doesn’t boast either Shaq or Tim Duncan. Are we done with big-man dominance? Check it out in my Finals Preview.

L.A. Lakers (1) vs. Boston Celtics (1) (Series Tied at 0-0)

Series Preview:
Let me first admit the ramifications of this match-up. It has great history, from Elgin Baylor and Bill Russell to Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and John Havlicek to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It’s an amazing match-up. These are two of the most popular franchises in basketball, historically and now, and this should be huge, as far as ratings go, for the NBA.

With all of Kobe’s frustrations and media coverage to start the season, there might not be a better story in the NBA this year. A lot of this teams success has to be credited to landing an elite player, Pau Gasol, while giving up next to nothing in the process. Kobe’s rise to the best record in a tough west was dynamic, and took the NBA by storm. But if there were a story to compete with the Lakers’ success, it’s the Celtics rise to the best record in the league. Boston traded away most all of their youth and draft picks to gain the likes of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Teaming them with Paul Pierce has formed a trio now known as the Big 3. Yes indeed, these two teams meeting for the league’s crown is definitely good TV.

This is Kobe and his team versus the Big Three and their pack of little helpers. This is LA versus Boston. This is a team that held onto their group of players versus a team that traded their way into three all-stars and a chance to put Boston back on the map. This is the perfect match-up.

Regular Season Series:
04/13/08 SA 85 - LA 106 (Over 187)
01/23/08 LA 91 - SA 103 (Under 196)
12/13/07 SA 97 - LA 102 (Under 201)
11/13/07 LA 92 - SA 107 (OVER 198)

Playoff Series Schedule:
Gm. 1: Thursday, June 5 (8:30 p.m. ET) - LAL at BOS
Gm. 2: Sunday, June 8 (8:30 p.m. ET) - LAL at BOS
Gm. 3: Tuesday, June 10 (8:30 p.m. ET) - BOS at LAL
Gm. 4: Thursday, June 12 (8:30 p.m. ET) - BOS at LAL
Gm. 5: *Sunday, June 15 (8:30 p.m. ET) - BOS at LAL
Gm. 6: *Tuesday, June 17 (8:30 p.m. ET) - LAL at BOS
Gm. 7: *Thursday, June 19 (8:30 p.m. ET) - LAL at BOS
*if necessary

Series Prediction: I am the only one that likes the Celtics, and I like them in 7. It will be fantastic, and I couldn’t dream of a better match-up, but Boston has an ability to defend the Lakers that few teams have been able to do. Boston has scorers that can give LA trouble, 1 on 1 and as a team. Kevin Garnett can score at will on Pau Gasol, and the toughness provided from Boston’s bigs off the bench should be enough to keep LA from dominating the glass. I like the Celtics in a historically brilliant series, but it will be close throughout.

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