Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will go head to head in a best-of-seven series for the NBA crown.  The wait of almost a week to get the NBA Finals started is just about over and like most everyone has there NBA predictions, as we're now just hours away from Game 1 tipping off in Boston.  Aah, the memories of hard fouls, big shots, Jack Nicholson's shades and chants of 'Beat L.A.' .  Boston's big 3 (Pierce, Allen and KG) dominated the Eastern Conference with a 66-16 record, do they stand a chance against a red-hot Lakers team?  The oddsmakers at bodoglife.com currently have the Boston -2.5 favorites to LA Lakers heading into this NBA Finals odds prediction.

The biggest concern with the Lakers would be that the Celtics seem like they would dominate them on the boards.  Who controls the boards often controls the pace of the game.  And, as the Celtics would prefer to play slower than the Lakers, that might be an issue.  Though I really can't imagine the Celtics being able to do it four times.  The Celtics like to crowd the lane to the basket when defending.  When the Lakers drive to the basket they have about three guys on him and no passing lane.  The Celtics have been the best defensive team all season long, and the Lakers one of the best top scoring teams in the league this year. 

BEAT LA ! BEAT LA! - great series as two great teams are matched up for your NBA predictions.  Even if Lakers don't win it this year. They won't panic. They have built a team that can contend for at least the next 10 years. They are young, they have improved drastically chemistry-wise under Phil Jackson and next year (there's that name again) Bynum will be back.  Yes, he is a force in this league.   Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't watch basketball.  That's why if Lakers don't win it all this year it really won't be that huge of a blow, because we see brighter pastures ahead.  Bynum, Gasol, Odom in the frontcourt with two veteran, playoff tested backcourt and the best bench in the NBA?  This is not rocket science, Lakers will be favorites next year.  I think Lakers will face the C's more than once in the Finals in the next few years. Get your NBA Final: Lakers vs Celtics Game 1 Prediction in now at BodogLife.com

I think the fact that the Lakers haven't been tested this postseason is going to come back to haunt them. Think about it, they had a bye in the first round ( a heartless Denver team), a Utah team where Boozer didn't show up and a beat up and tired San Antonio team.  They have had home court and been ahead when they hit the road.  What happens when their role players see some adversity.  I really feel like this is going to go the way of Detroit - LA 2004. But we'll see.  Very exciting.

View NBA Finals Betting Predictions at OnlineSportsHandicapping.com before you bet on bet on NBA Finals Basketball at bodoglife.com

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