Up to NBA Betting Trends

posted June 10, 2008 at 15:21 in NBA Betting Trends

Despite emphatically spanking the Los Angeles Lakers, (69-30 SU, 57-39-2 ATS, 46-52 O/U) twice in the opening two games of the 2007-08 NBA championship sports betting series, the Boston Celtics, (80-24 SU, 62-40-2 ATS, 46-57-1 O/U) are likely feeling a bit like late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, since they are getting absolutely ‘no respect’ whatsoever from sports betting oddsmakers who seemingly love the Lakers, their prolific offense and superstar Kobe Bryant.

While the Celtics have covered the basketball betting spread for the BetUS online NBA basketball wagering community in each of the first two games in the BetUS Sportsbook, just as I predicted in the BetUS Locker Room prior to those contests, the Lakers are favored to win Game 3 in a big way despite looking nothing like the team that pounded the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs en route to winning the Western Conference championship.

Now, in a 2-0 hole despite a furious fourth quarter comeback attempt in Game 2, the Lakers, who are a perfect 14-0 at home this postseason, say they are not fazed by dropping each of the first two sports betting games in Boston.

"All they did is protect their home court," said Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic. "All they did was protect their home court, so it's going to be a different story in L.A."

Different story or not, BetUS NBA online gambling fans should know that just three teams in league history have ever come back from an 0-2 deficit to win the NBA Championship.

While both teams realize how crucial winning Game 3 will be, each franchise’s head coach weighed in on the subject of the Finals’ 2-3-2 format, which gives the lesser team three straight games at home, including the often-pivotal fifth game.

"From afar, what I've never liked about the 2-3-2 is you fight all year to have Game 7 at home and Game 5 at home," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Game 5 is taken away from you. We've had three huge Game Five’s in the first three rounds. All of them have been at home."

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson didn’t sound particularly pleased wither despite having the three middle contests at home.

"The duration of three games on one court, those have always been tough to maintain," said Jackson. "I've had teams that have been on the road and won three games in a row, but I can't ever remember winning three the other way around as a home coach in the finals."

No matter where the teams play, one thing should be crystal clear for BetUS online sports gamblers who like to wager on NBA basketball – the quicker, sleeker, more offensive-minded Lakers are no match for the Celtics in the physicality department where they have been absolutely overpowered by Boston’s frontcourt.

The Lakers will also need to figure out a way to get Kobe Bryant some better shots as the Lakers’ superstar shooting guard is shooting a less-than-glowing 20-for-49 in the two games going up against the Celtic’s terrific defense.

The Celtics have covered the spread in three straight playoff games while going 5-3 against the spread, (ATS) in their last eight postseason games overall.

Los Angeles has failed to cover the spread in three of their last five games overall.

Here is a look at tonight’s online sports wagering key trends followed by my NBA online betting Free Picks.

The Celtics odds are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Pacific.

The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.

The Lakers odds are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.

The Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.

The Under is 5-0 in Celtics last 5 games as a road underdog.

The Under is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

The Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Analysis: Once again, BetUS NBA online bettors, maybe it’s me, but I am literally shocked that tonight’s point spread is so high in favor of the Lakers. While the Celtics have had their share of road troubles, particularly in the first and second rounds, Boston has shown me absolutely nothing that makes me think they will lose tonight’s contest by a whopping 10 points. The fact of the matter is that the Celtics have the best defense in all of basketball and have used it diligently in shutting the Lakers down when they need to most.

I know I picked the Lakers to cover the spread in this series for online NBA bettors more often than not, but that was prior to the start of the series and the jaw-dropping odds that have all favored the Celtics in a big way.

After calling each of the opening two games correctly, I have no doubt that the Celtics are the pick again tonight to cover the insanely high point spread. The BetUS online NBA betting community should roll with the Celtics to cover the spread once again, though I do like the Lakers to win outright while definitely pushing the score Over the 195 1/2-point total for both clubs. Take The C’s and the Over.

NBA Free Picks: Celtics + 9½ Points/Over 195½ Total Points

09:05 PM EST NBA Odds

Boston Celtics +9 -110

LA Lakers -9 -110

Over 195½ -110

Under 195½ -110

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