Fantasy Sports Gametime
100* Play Boston (+5.5) over Los Angeles
Los Angeles has lost 3 of the last 4 games against the spread and they have also lost 6 of the last 9 games against the spread when playing 5 or less games in 14 days. Los Angeles has lost 9 of the last 11 games vs. Boston against the spread and they are allowing an average of 109 points a game on defense over the last 5 games.
Bob Balfe
LA Lakers -5.5
Los Angeles Dodgers -130
The Braves are headed off to the West Coast for a long road series while the Dodgers are back at home playing solid baseball. Kuroda is a better pitcher then Medlen and should start off Game 1 of this series giving the Dodgers a big home win, cooling off a surging Braves team. Take the Dodgers.
Wayne Root
Millionaire - Celtics +5½
Anthony Redd
40 Dimes Lakers Series
15 Dime Lakers First Half
15 Dime Lakers
15 Dimes Over
BIG AL McMORDIE
Lakers/Celtics Under 192
The first games of NBA Finals tend to go 'under' the total (68.4% last 19 years; 100% last six). And not just by a scant margin, either, but by a WHOLE LOT! Consider that each of the last six NBA Finals have started out with a very low-scoring game. In 2004, the Lakers lost 87-75 to Detroit and the total was 171 (so it stayed under by 9 points). In 2005, the Spurs bested the Pistons 84-69 and that was 22.5 points under the 175.5 number. In 2006, the Mavs won 90-80 over Miami, falling 24 points under the total of 194. Then, in 2007, the Spurs beat LeBron James & Co. 85-76, when the total was 18.5 points higher at 179.5. The Celts and Lakers met two years ago, and Boston defeated L.A. 98-88, which was 5.5 points less than the 191.5 number. Finally, last year's opening game between Orlando and the Lakers generated just 175 points (L.A. won 100-75), and that was a whopping 30.5 points below the over/under of 205.5). Thus, the average Game 1 over the past six seasons has yielded scores 18.3 ppg below the posted Total. Look for another low-scoring game here, as each meeting between the Celts and Lakers was low-scoring this year (falling 15 and 16 points below the respective totals), and the Lakers are also 15-3 'under' as home favorites of -6 points or less. Take the 'under.' Good luck, as always...Al McMordie. And don't miss my red-hot baseball plays, as we're 41 games over .500 (118-77-5), and are on an 11-1 run as well (thru Monday's action).
Los Angeles Dodgers -135
Braves righthander Kris Medlen has been a more-than-adequate fill-in while Jair Jurrjens continues to recover from a hamstring injury and it's likely that Medlen will continue in his starting role throughout most, if not all of, the month of June as Jurrjens' recovery has been slow. But Atlanta needs to be careful with Medlen, who is starting to show signs of being over-used. After all, as a reliever, Medlen has been used to throwing generally less than 40 pitches per outing, but in his last three trips to the hill as a starter, he's averaged over 90 pitches and his baserunners allowed has increased in his last two starts (16 hits and four walks in less than 12 innings). Los Angeles righthander Hiroki Kuroda has struggled a bit lately, going 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in his last three starts but most of that was due to his last outing, which was unfortunately in Colorado, and is still a tough place for pitchers, humidor or not. Take away that outing and Kuroda has quality starts in five of his last six and you certainly can't ignore the fact that he continues to be extremely valuable to his Los Angeles ball club that's won seven of his 10 starts this season. MLB Roadkill on the Dodgers.
NELLY
Celtics / Lakers Under 192
While the Lakers have been dominant in the playoffs they have generally been willing to allow the opponents to dictate the pace. The Phoenix and Utah series were both incredibly high scoring as both the Suns and the Jazz did a lot of positive things on offense, the Lakers were just better. In round 1 Oklahoma City slowed things down a bit but Lakers still came out on top. Boston had made it to the finals dues its defense and the ‘under’ has been on a roll in games involving the Celtics. Game 1 of the finals is also historically a great ‘under’ play as both teams feel the extra pressure and intensity and coaching staffs tend to throw a few new wrinkles out given the extra preparation time. Nine of the last twelve NBA Finals game 1 match-ups have played ‘under’ and of the three that went ‘over’ one went to overtime and the other two cleared the total by very slim margins in the closing seconds. Last year Los Angeles had a dominant defensive performance in game 1 holding the Magic to just 75 points. Los Angeles leaned to the ‘under’ for the season and at home this year and this opener should start slowly.
The Duke's Sports
Boston Under (192) for 3 Units
Good value with the "under" in a series that has gone 1-4 O/U in its last 5 at the Staples Center. Both of these teams are well coached and have a clear understanding of their role defensively; consequently, we should not see too many open looks, and limited transition baskets. The Lakers are 6-14 O/U in their last 20 home games vs a team with a winning road record, and they're 1-4 O/U in their last 5 NBA Championship games. Boston, on the other hand, is 4-10 O/U as a playoff dog in this spread range. "under" the call.
Ben Burns
10* Lakers -5.5
Executive
250% Lakers
Passing MLB
POWER PLAY WINS
Boston Celtics +5.5
SUPER SPORTS GROUP
8* Milwaukee/Florida Over 8.5
8* Chicago White Sox -108
10* Minnesota/Seattle Over 7
7* Minnesota Twins +120
THE HOOPS GURU
NBA TRIPLE PLAY PLAYOFF TOTALS WINNER
Boston and LA Lakers UNDER 192
NBA QUADRUPLE PLAY PLAYOFF WINNER
LA Lakers -5.5
SEABASS
300* Boston Celtics (Series)
50* Boston Celtics
50* Boston Celtics ML
Rocco Vincintore Guaranteed Selections
PREFERRED PLAYERS CLUB BASEBALL DOMINATOR
Seattle w/Hernandez -133