Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (9:00 pm ET, ABC)
Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will try to supersede one another in Game 3 (9:00 pm ET, ABC) at TD Garden, Boston, MA. The series is tied at 1-1. The Lakers have a 57-25 home, 23-18 away record whereas Celtics have a 50-32 away, 24-17 home record.
To its East Coast headquarters, the NBA‘s best rivalry is returning. In Game 2, the Celtics evened the series at a game apiece with their 103-94 victory. For the first time since 2004, the finals are deadlocked after two games.
“We took home court, so we’ve got a chance to play three games (at home), but I told you all yesterday that doesn’t guarantee we’re going to win the games because we’re at home. We have to go out there and play the game. They’re going to be coming into our house and we can’t assume anything. We can’t take it for granted”, said Celtics forward Paul Pierce on Sunday.
The Celtics toughened up their defense and turned things around following their 102-89 loss in their opener. The Celtics were able to limit the Lakers to 41 percent shooting. Ray Allen capitalized on the open looks that created by making an NBA finals-record eight 3-pointers while scoring 32 points and Rajon Rondo tracked down the long rebounds of many missed shots to ignite Boston’s fast break.
By the foul trouble for Kobe Bryant and top reserve Lamar Odom, left Lakers frustrated. Both of them have been ineffective in both the games. Wasting strong efforts from Gasol and center Andrew Bynum, Bryant was more annoyed with his team’s defense against Boston’s guards.
In Rondo’s fifth career triple-double, he had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists beating the Lakers to loose balls and then beating them down the court.
Oddsmakers from various NBA betting websites have made the Celtics –2.5 point spread favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Lakers +2.5. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 57% of more the 2,972 bets for this game have been placed on the Celtics –2.5.
