Los Angeles at Boston

Have the oddsmakers and betting public actually been watching this series? It doesn't appear so given how these lines continue to be set. We have been watching and we'll tell you our opinion. The Celtics are the better team. They were the better team by a longshot in games one and two at home. They were the better team on the road, too. They stole one in LA and had a chance to win both of the other two games. Now they return home again and even though the oddsmakers have adjusted, they not adjusted enough. Sure, it was crazy to get Boston as an underdog in game two - just ridiculous. Now they are -4, which in essence says these two teams are about even with the Celts getting a couple of buckets for home-court. Ha! Boston has won five of seven vs. the Lakers this year. They have covered seven of seven. The Celtics are 47-7 at home on the season, and that includes 12-1 in the playoffs. The perception remains with some that the West is a much better and deeper conference and if the Lakers played in the East, they would have matched the Celtics win for win. What is forgotten is the fact the Celtics were 25-5 against the West in the regular season! The press and fans remain Kobe crazy. But the fact is Paul Pierce has been the best player on the floor in these Finals. Pierce is matching Kobe virtually point for point, outshooting him from the field and the line, and the rebounds and assists are even. And, Pierce has been more clutch. That leaves Ray Allen (questionable) and Garnett as the next two best players on the court, playing at home. And how did the Lakers soft big men and supposedly great bench perform on the road in games one and two? They were non-existent while the Celtics role players collectively played superb. As we have said before, Boston can beat teams like LA while LA struggles vs. teams like Boston. The Lakers are 0-9 ATS this season versus good defensive teams (those holding opponents to  under 43% shooting). Meanwhile, Boston is 14-5 ATS versus explosive offensive teams (those scoring 103+ ppg). If you think this Celtics trio isn't hungry to put a title in the books, then you underestimate who they are. We love what we saw from Boston last game. They could have taken a bit of a rest knowing that LA was going to be playing like a caged animal. They could have rested on their laurels knowing they were returning home for two straight games. But they didn't. They again withstood a ridiculous Lakers first quarter and cut a 19 point lead down to nothing. They showed heart and a desire to win and win now. The Celtics have won 12 in the playoffs by an average margin of 13.5 ppg, and have yet to win any of the 12 by less than 4 points. They are the better team in a great matchup for them. The Celtics should have been prohibitive favorites at home in games one and two. They should have been very small dogs on the road. Tonight they should be laying way more than 4. Value Celtics, Championship Celtics.