NBA Betting Odds

For Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics met up in Boston, on Tuesday.

NBA betting odds favorite, the Lakers, dominated Game 1, but Boston won Game 2. Boston came in with momentum on their side after winning Game 2 and the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd. Unfortunately, for them, they were unable to capitalize and ultimately fell to the Lakers 91-84.

In Game 3, the things that betting online favorite team, Boston had to do were obvious. First, Kobe Bryant is needed to slow down. Second, they needed to find a way to slow down Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum defensively. While Kobe was held by Celtics to just 10-29 from the field, he still managed 29 points. The second part of their plan failed as well, as both Gasol and Bynum snagged 10 rebounds.

Once again, the size difference was obvious as well. Gasol simply plays bigger on the court, while Kevin Garnett is only an inch shorter than Pau Gasol. However, Garnett did managed 25 points in Game 3. From the Celtics, Ray Allen had an abysmal game, managing only 2 points and going 0-13 from the field and missing all 8 of his three point tries.

If Boston can figure out a way to stop the Lakers’ big men and Kobe, they have a good chance to even the series in Game 4 on Thursday. If not, to a second straight NBA Championship, it looks like the Lakers are going to cruise.

The Utah Jazz will try to pick up their first win of their Western semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers when the teams play Game 3 in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

Game 2 between the Lakers and the Jazz followed a nearly identical script to that of Game 1.

The Jazz jumped to another quick early lead but were overwhelmed by a flurry of Laker possessions that quickly built the lead, until an early fourth quarter meltdown allowed the Jazz to nearly come back. The two unquestioned leaders in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol then finished strong, ultimately putting away the Jazz 111-103.

Once again, the Lakers, basketball betting favorite had their way with the Jazz down low. From the beginning of the series the Jazz simply could not match up with the Lakers on paper, and have so far proven unable to come up with a solution. LA had 64 point in the paint, with a 58-40 rebounding advantage and an astounding 13 team blocked shots. Forcing the Jazz to shoot outside, they hit a woeful 39% field goal percentage.

In game three, the Jazz need to avoid getting caught in the paint with nowhere to go. They need to establish their patented pick and roll offense high on the key and make better use of cutting wing players for layups or jump shots away from the Laker’s bigs. Defensive stopper Andrei Kirilenko should be ready to return and will match up with Bryant, and the Jazz excel on their homecourt, making this the Jazz’s best chance to avoid the 0-3 deficit. The Lakers on the other hand need to put the game away at the end, avoiding costly turnovers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the surprising teams of the NBA regular season and The Los Angeles Lakers open up the defense of their title with them. People have been talking about the Thunder and how they were streaking up the charts, for the past month. Up until the last weekend of the NBA season, they were looking really good. Possibly the 82 game schedule caught up with them. The Lakers have been coasting to the finish line. After you have been coasting, it is a difficult thing to pick up and play again. For that reason, it is a possibility that the Thunder could beat the Lakers.

The matchups are interesting. The Thunder should probably be given the point guard battle. Westbrook has the athletic prowess and Fisher is getting older to take him on. The other guard position has Kobe going against Sefolosha. You just do not bet against Kobe therefore you have to give the Lakers this matchup. He has been the premier player for too long.

It could be tough for the Thunder to match up with the Lakers with the power of these players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Kevin Durant and Jeff Green inexperience in the playoffs will catch up with them even though it is true that Thunder have some good young players.

Some people will probably be surprised by thunder. The Lakers could be caught napping and win the first game in Los Angeles. However, the Lakers will catch fire from there and put the Thunder away in six games. About winning in the playoffs, The Oklahoma City Thunder just has too much to learn.