Boston at Los Angeles

The Celtics have gotten to this point by going 11-6 vs. teams considered better than them in their last 17 in the playoffs. How have they done it? Primarily at the defensive end, allowing just 91.6 points per game in the playoffs thus far. The Lakers are down 3-2, and know they must match the Celtics defensive intensity, or they won't live to see game seven. No. 1 seeds have a proven record of cashing the UNDER in the first half of a playoffs game as they are 284-203 in the last 487 occurrences. The Lakers are 31-18 UNDER in the first half the past two seasons revenging a loss and 20-8 UNDER mark when seeking double-revenge. Under Doc Rivers, the Celticsc are 42-26 UNDER in the first-half in playoff games. This one has all the makings of teams bowing their backs early, looking to impose their defensive will on the other early. I'll go with the first half UNDER here.