Boston Celtics vs. L.A. Lakers POY!

Dont really post much in the NBA forums...follow basketball, play a decent amount of games, just never really posted on here.  Just thought I would drop in today and express my opinion and get a good discussion from fellow poster's. 

I am not a big guy or fan of placing a bet on past history as far a results, ATS, etc.  Yes, trends, and those sort of things are great to look at and help you make a decision, but the fact of the matter is this...what happened in the past (especially between two different teams in 1988) has nothing to do with today.  So I dont care that in NBA Finals history when the series has been tied 2-2 going into game 5, the winner of that game has went on to win the series 19 of the 25 times.  Again, it just goes back to my thinking that it has nothing to do with today's teams.  I also don't care that the Zen Master, Phil Jackson, is 47-0 series record after winning game 1 of a series.  This is a different team and they are plaing a different team.

As much as it seems the NBA is rigged, and refs have agenda's, I really dont buy into the fact that the NBA finals are fixed in any manner.  Maybe the NBA draft lottery has been, maybe certain games have been fixed, but I really dont believe in that sort of nonesense when talking about the NBA Finals.  So I throw all the talk about this series going 7 games just because the NBA needs it to go that far.  Yes, it could happen, but if it does, it doesnt mean the series was rigged...it means the Lakers won 3 games, and the Celtics won 3 games. 

As much as I love Phil Jackson and admire what he has done as a coach (regardless of the talent he has had on his teams).  I really believe that he has been outcoached in this series.  Not only that, but his Lakers have been outhustled, outworked, and outrebounded by the Celtics.  Not only the starters, but the bench.  Doc Rivers has made some adjustments since game 1, when a lot of people thought this series was going to be over right away after the way the Lakers dominated the Celtics.  Rivers has made adjustments and his team has reaped the benefits.  I have yet to see Phil Jackson make any significant changes or adjustments to put his team in a better situation to be successful.  He needs to make a change or a tweak tonight in order to get the win. 

Now you have to factor in the intangibles...the Lakers season is on the line tonight...no doubt...they need to win or they go home..simple as that.  So you would expect a complete effort on the court tonight right?  If that is your thinking, that is fine, but I believe it is flawed slightly, and here is why.  This is the NBA Finals, so regardless of what game it is, regardless if your team is on the brink of elimination, your team should be giving max. effort on the court.  So I dont expect the Lakers to just wake up and give a lot more effort tonight.   They have been giving their best effort each night, and to deny them of that is simply flawed.  You have to tip your hat to the Boston Celtics, because their effort has been better, plain and simple.  Effort can not be judged or gauged in the final Box Score, but I can see it when the games start and finish.  Again, if your thinking is that you are going to bet max. effort from the Lakers tonight, you better recognize that your are also going to get max. effort from the Celtics tonight....and when I tally the results between these two teams when they both apply max. effort in a game, the Celtics have won one more game than the Lakers have so far this series. 

The Lakers need to put everything together tonight.  Even when Kobe went off in Game 5, it wasnt even close enough for them to win.  They have other issues, and until you stop to see those issues and glaring concerns, I think you are being naive to the fact that the Celtics are better all-around in this matchup, and that even home-court is not going to be enough.

I think this is going to be a close game...one team is going to pull away at the end of this battle and win by 7+ points.  That is just what I see in this one.  So, with that being said, I dont feel comfortable taking the points that I am being offered, instead I am going to just take the SU ML for the Celtics tonight on the Road.

Boston Celtics +264

Let the discussion begin...

pickem, when I first looked at the line of -6.5 and then the money line a t+250, I was extremely excited to sway to the money line.  Simpy because Boston has to win tonight.  I believe if the Lakers take this game they will have bulit up enough confidence to win the series.  Given this fact, Boston will be prepared to end it tonight.  They would rather not face the lakers in the seventh game. 

So with that said, I will be laying 4 units on the ML and 4 units on the spread.  If lakers win, I do not think they will blow them out.  After game 1, the Celtics adjusted quite nicely and played the their best D that I have seen in a while.  So lay the ML and lets get the dough.   

WOW, can't argue with you based on your last few baseball POY's

BOL!