NBA NEWS FROM BROBURY SPORTS

**junkman** Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:37 pm

Celtics one game away

The Boston Celtics are one game away from the NBA title as they play at the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

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BroburySports.com has just released the odds and L.A. is a 6 ½-point favorite with a total of 187 ½-points. Boston leads the series 3-2 with the final two games in Los Angeles.

Boston was two-point ‘chalk’ for Game 5 at home on Sunday. They controlled the game for the most part, shooting over 56 percent from the field. However, Kobe Bryant had a huge third quarter and 38 points for the game. The Lakers made it close before losing 92-86.

The final score went way ‘under’ the 188 ½-point total. The ‘under’ is 3-0 in the last three games, although the ‘over’ was 1-0-1 in the two games in L.A.

The Celtics finally got a huge game from Paul Pierce (27 points). The 2008 Finals MVP needed to be able to stand up to Bryant and show he could match buckets with him.

Boston also had the better balance with Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each scoring 18 points and Ray Allen adding 12. The only other Laker in double digits was Pau Gasol. He had 12 points after averaging 20.5 PPG the first four games.

L.A. only had 12 assists last game as too many Lakers players went unnoticed. Ron Artest is really struggling offensively and must at least slow down Pierce to have any value. Bryant can’t win this series by himself. Feeding Gasol in the low post would be a great start to next game.

Center Andrew Bynum’s knee was a big story heading into Game 5. He played 32 minutes but was largely ineffective (six points, one rebound). There’s no telling how much he will play on Tuesday and his injury could ultimately swing this series.

Boston has been a good road team all year and especially in the playoffs. They’re 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven road games, splitting the first two in L.A.

Los Angeles is 9-1 SU at home in the playoffs and 6-4 ATS.

Boston knows this will be their toughest test yet. It will be even harder in a potential Game 7. They must take care of business on Tuesday.

Will the Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals for the second time in three years?

Bet on it at BroburySports.com

http://www.broburysports.com/.