Lakers and Celtics Will Go the Distance

Al has seen it all in the NBA playoffs this season but he finally thinks he’s sure of one thing, the NBA Finals will go to a seventh game.

Boston to take charge
This has been a typical Celtics performance in the series so far. A balance of dominance and disaster to make sure they stay alive but never in command of the series. That will all change on Sunday and not because of a renaissance in Boston. Look at the way this Celtics team has played. It won game two because Ray Allen realised the Celtics needed to avoid a 2-0 hole. Last night the bench came good because once again Boston needed to avoid a 3-1 hole. On Sunday night that need changes. Doc Rivers knows his team can win once in LA but winning twice on the road in the Staples Center is too much to ask. This Celtics team has the veteran talent and knowledge to get the job done on Sunday so they will have two bites at the cherry on the road.

Kobe will have his say
Beware the closer or should I say the Kloser. Kobe Bryant has not dominated these finals but he’s on the cusp of doing so. I see him playing well, win or lose, on Sunday and bringing at least one big performance in Los Angeles. I like him to get off to a great start in game five so look for the Lakers to win the race to 20 points where Sports Interaction is offering them at -105.

Kobe’s story in these Finals will go beyond Sunday night. While Boston possesses a deeper group of A-grade talent, no one player in Boston is as capable of taking control of a game or series as LA’s superstar.

Get ready for a big battle
Sunday is going to be one of the great nights in NBA history. It won’t decide the series on paper but it will have a huge mental impact on both teams. The two competing storylines of the playoffs will come to a head in Boston. The Lakers ability to dominate and oppose their will on teams will clash directly with the Celtic knack of switching off for a game here and there but doing enough to win out. The breadth of veteran talent at Boston, in particular on the bench will prove the difference. Rasheed Wallace has made Bill Simmons cry this year but he is sick of Ron Artest getting all the love for defensive play, although Artest is rightly getting slated for his horrible offense. Rasheed Wallace will lead a surge from the bench in game five to make sure Boston lead this series heading back to Los Angeles.

For the best NBA betting as the Finals reach a climax check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.