In Game 3 of your NBA Finals picks, Kobe Bryant had 36 points with an MVP-worthy performance, Sasha Vujacic added 20 points  as the Lakers get the victory, 87-81.  "We just wanted to play," said Bryant, whose only flaw was an 11-of-18 night from the foul line.  "I don't think anyone was feeling desperate."   Boston now leads the series 2-1, finally the Lakers join the series.  Kobe did everything he could to put the Lakers in position to win, starting the game very aggressively and sealing the deal at the end.  The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com set the NBA Finals betting odds for the LA Lakers -7.5 favorites to Boston for your NBA Finals picks on Game 4. 

Ray Allen scored 25 points, 15 on 3-pointers, for the Celtics, but only one-third of Boston's Big Three showed up.  Lakers better step it up even more in Game 4 because the Celts will make adjustments, one of which is not putting Allen one-on-one with Kobe at the end of the game...don't understand what Boston Coach Doc was thinking...Spurs Bowen couldn't guard Kobe one-on-one, let alone Ray-Ray.  Kevin Garnett scored 13 points on just 6-of-21 shooting and Paul Pierce just scored 6 points, missed 12 shots.  KG and Pierce had a bad games, it also looked like the Celtics who pride themselves as players who leave it all out on the court, basically give up at the 30 second mark. 

Home court advantage. The stars and reserves of both teams play better at home, except for Odom and Gasol who seem rather confused by the game of basketball.  Lakers defense was excellent but Gasol and Odom need to stop shrinking under the spotlight.  Odom is inconsistent (again missing layups and dunks) and Gasol is playing too soft around the rim. 

Game 3 Tuesday night, that was all the Lakers had to offer at home.  Boston actually came back and had the lead in the 4th quarter.  Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce did nothing all night and still had a shot at winning.  The Celtics wanted to win this game, but the Lakers absolutely had to.  Yet the Celtics still had the opportunity to steal it from them.  Pierce has proven that he can score against this Lakers team and he'll be back for games 4 and 5.  The Celtics need to steal one of these games on the road from the Lakers, or they will be going home 3-2.  They played a decent game on Tuesday with only Ray Allen getting it done.  If all of the Big 3 can get going they could upset the Lakers as huge underdogs.

NBA Finals Basketball at Sportsbook.com

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