Lakers-Celtics Pointers

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday night when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden in the opening game of the NBA Finals. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 3-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Kobe Bryant dropped a game-high 39 points as the Lakers defeated the Spurs 100-92 to advance to the NBA Finals last Thursday. The Lakers failed to cover the 8-point spread, while the 192 points fell UNDER the posted total of 193.5. Bryant shot 16-for-30 from the field with three rebounds and three assists, and Lamar Odom added 13 points in the win for Los Angeles. The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals with an 89-81 win over the Pistons last time out, as 5-point underdogs. The combined 170 points fell UNDER the posted total of 175. Paul Pierce led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics, while Ray Allen added 17 in the win. Team records: Los Angeles: 57-25 SU, 47-34-1 ATS Boston: 66-16 SU, 52-28-2 ATS Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Boston are 2-8 After playing San Antonio are 5-5 After a win are 8-2 Boston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2 After playing Detroit are 5-5 After a win are 4-6 A few trends to consider: LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 8 games on the road Boston is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 17 of Boston's last 23 games when playing LA Lakers Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Next up: LA Lakers at Boston, Sunday, June 8 Boston home to LA Lakers, Sunday, June 8