Celtics Lakers Betting – Tuesday, June 15, 9:00 PM ET
The Celtics used great shooting and a balanced attack to beat the Lakers 92-86 at home on Sunday to take a 3-2 series led, as Paul Pierce had his best game of the series with 27 points, while Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo had 18 apiece, and Ray Allen added 12 points for the Celtics, who shot a blistering 56.3% from the field. They weren't so hot from long range, missing nine of their 12 three-point attempts, and they were just 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, but the Celtics scored at will in the paint, outscoring the Lakers 46-32. If there were a couple of negatives in this game, it was that Rondo had seven of the Celtics' 16 turnovers, and they were outrebounded 16-7 on the offensive glass.
It was obvious that his teammates didn't have it on Sunday night, so Kobe Bryant took it upon himself to keep the Lakers in the game. Bryant scored a game-high 38 points, including a stretch between the second and third quarters where he notched an amazing 23 straight points for the Lakers. The problem is, Pau Gasol was the only other Laker in double figures with 12 points as Los Angeles shot a miserable 39.7% from the field. The Celtics were more than happy to let Bryant go one-on-five, and it proved to be the right strategy.
The Lakers are a 6.5-point NBA betting favorite at home in this series after splitting the first two at the Staples Center with the Celtics, who have now won two of their last five in Los Angeles. The Lakers are 9-1 at home so far in the playoffs, with their only loss coming in Game 2 to the Celtics. Boston is a veteran team that won't be intimidated to go into Los Angeles, but the Lakers' supporting cast definitely plays much better at the Staples Center than on the road. If a hot Bryant kept them in it in Boston, what makes you think they can't win at home? Look for big games from Gasol and Lamar Odom in a game where the Lakers won't cover the sports betting spread of 6.5 points, but they will make sure a seventh game will be played on Thursday.