Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers (9:00 pm ET, ABC)
With the series squared at 3-3, Game 7 (9:00 pm ET, ABC) will be the decider as to which team makes history. Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers will duel hard to lay their hands on the championship trophy on Thursday at Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
With a coronation at Staples Center, a memorable chapter in the NBA‘s best rivalry will end the defending champion Lakers will try to earn their 16th banner while denying unprecedented 18th title in the clubs’ second finals, for Boston. Boston and Los Angeles need all seven games to decide it, for the fifth time in their 12 finals meetings.
“It’s got nothing to do with me, “(When) I look back, years from now, or even when I was a kid, (if) you’d talk about being in this situation, I’d be really excited. However, when I’m in the moment right now, I’ve got to play. I’ve got to focus on that. I can’t focus on the hype about it”, said Bryant, the series’ leading scorer with 29.5 points per game.
After an embarrassing 89-67 loss in Game 6 Tuesday night, the Celtics have plenty stacked against them, although Boston has the rivalry’s Game 7 history on its side. Next to Boston’s Big Three and point guard Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins is a role player. Youngster Glen Davis and veteran Rasheed Wallace will try to make up for Perkins’ inside defense and rebounding for the Celtics.
In seventh games, the Celtics have more experience than the Lakers over the past three years, playing in two deciding games in 2008 and two more last year.
Celtics weren’t making plans for a raucous plane ride back to Boston and the Lakers weren’t discussing the prospect of a party. Both teams thought it best not to think beyond Thursday night, given the weight of history and the intensity of this rivalry.
Oddsmakers from various betting websites have made the Lakers -6.5 point spread favorites for Thursday’s game against the Celtics. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 50% of more than 6,816 bets for this game have been placed on the Lakers -6.5.
