Larry Ness | NBA Sides Sun, 06/06/10 - 8:05 PM
triple-dime bet 703 BOS 6.0 (-110)
Bodog vs 704 LAL
Analysis: My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 8:05 ET.
The Celtics manhandled the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, winning in six games while covering all six. Kobe shot just 40.5 percent in that series, Gasol averaged 14.2-102. but was labeled 'soft' plus Bynum was sidelined due to a season-ending injury. The Celtics were led by their new version of the "Big Three" and the group delivered. Pierce (21.2-4.5-6.3) was named MVP, KG averaged 18.2-13.0 posting six straight "double-doubles" while Allen averaged 17.2 PPG. Fast-forwarding to Game 1 of the 2010 Finals this past Thursday night in LA, absolute NOTHING we saw reminded us the 2008 Finals. Kobe scored 30 poi€nts for the 11th time in his last 12 postseason games (added seven rebounds and six assists), the once 'soft' Gasol dominated play inside with 23 points and 14 rebounds (made 8-of-14 shots) and Bynum (while not 100 percent) played 28 minutes with 10 points and six rebounds. Artest, who in 2008 toiled for the Kings, scored 15 points and was able to guard Pierce for a good part of the game, giving Kobe a break from the defensive assignment which consumed him in the 2008 Finals. As for Boston, the team which shut down LBJ and the Cavs and then humbled the Magic in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Celtics never seemed in the game defensively, physically or emotionally. LA led 84-64 at the end of the third quarter. Despite just "playing out the string" in the fourth quarter, LA ended with 102 points, shot 48.7 percent and outscored Boston in the paint, 48-30. Pierce scored 24 points (also had nine rebounds and four assists) but KG made just 7-of-16 shots for 16 points plus grabbed a Stoudemire-like four rebounds. In fact, Gasol's 14 rebounds equaled the total grabbed by KG (4), Rasheed (4), Perkins (3) and Davis (3). Ray Allen made just 3-of-8 shots for 12 points. He, Tony Allen and Pierce took turns trying guard Kobe and the three accumulated 14 fouls. Rondo had a line of 13-6-8 but hardly dominated the near 36-year-old Fisher, as many had predicted before the series started. The Celtics are well aware that Phil Jackson coached teams are 47-0 all-time in playoff series after winning the first game, including 23-0 with the Lakers. I was "all over" the Lakers in Game 1 of this series (NBA Game of the Year) nailing it just right, EXPECTING and GETTING a great effort from LA. However, I'm backing the Celtics in this one. Boston isn't thinking about Jackson's streak of winning all previous series after winning Game 1 but what Boston can't afford here is falling down 0-2. Teams doing that have won just 14 times in 233 previous tries!. In this 2-3-2 format (started in the 84-85 season), falling behind 0-2 has meant almost certain 'death!' Of the 15 teams which have fallen behind 0-2 in the NBA Finals since that 1985 postseason, just ONE (the 2006 Miami Heat) has come back to win the title. If the Celtics lose here, even a three-game sweep back in Boston next week (unlikely), might not be enough to give the Celtics their 18th NBA title. The Celtics were outplayed in every aspect on Thursday, especially in the 'effort department.' That's unacceptable to Rivers and the team knows it. I wonder if the Lakers are capable of matching their Game 1 intensity and overall level of play. We KNOW the Celtics have nowhere to go but to IMPROVE their intensity and level of play. I expect the "Big Three" to come up big and for Rondo to make a HUGE difference in what is almost a "now or never" game for Boston. Take the points.
Good luck...Larry