2008 NBA Championship Winner Odds: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston CelticsBy Eric WilliamsOkay, NBA online sports betting community, the NBA Finals online betting matchup between the Boston Celtics, (78-24 SU, 60-40-2 ATS, 45-56-1 O/U) and Los Angeles Lakers, (69-28 SU, 57-57-2 ATS, 45-51 O/U) are just one day away from kicking off and BetUS basketball bettors want to know the inside scoop before laying down their hard-earned dollars in search of some season-ending, bankroll-increasing pro basketball wagers. So for Celtics odds, Lakers odds and NBA Finals odds, log on to BetUS online sportsbook and pad your bankroll. To Win 2008 NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers -180 Boston Celtics +150 Let's get started by looking at the historical aspects of this sports betting matchup, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest in all of sports history. This will be the 11th time in league history that the Lakers and Celtics will have met in the NBA Finals, and the Celtics are the clear-cut basketball betting favorites if bettors look at this matchup from its historical perspective. The Celtics have beaten the Lakers in eight out of the first 10 meetings, though the Lakers have won each of the last two Finals matchups, winning the title in 1984-85 in six games before taking home the hardware again over the Celtics in 1986-87, also in six games. However, these matchups took place so long ago; it's hard to believe that history will play a role in this year's matchup, particularly since most of the players on each team weren't even born or barely old enough to walk. For the quickest and easiest depositing methods available, sign-up today at BetUS.com, "for over 14 years they have been the World-Wide Leader in Online Sports, Poker and Casino Gaming!" Always receive great odds, huge bonuses and fast payouts only at BetUS.com! BET ON FOOTBALL! First time deposits receive $75 free with a $200 deposit! Historical Edge: Boston Celtics Historical viewpoints aside, what the BetUS NBA online sports betting community ultimately wants to know is which team will be the best team to wager on throughout the series. This is a tough call, depending on what NBA online bettors prefer. It is difficult to judge whether to like the Celtics Odds or the Lakers Odds. If you believe that championships are won with defense, the Celtics are clearly the way to go as they have been the best defensive team in the entire league, both, during the regular season - and in the playoffs. Boston has allowed opponents to score just 87.2 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting from the field and 32.0 percent from downtown during the postseason after allowing just 90.1 points per game during the regular season on 43.7 percent shooting from the field and 33.2 percent from three-point distance. If NBA online sports bettors like offense, then the high-powered Lakers are definitely the way to go. Los Angeles was fourth in the league in scoring in the regular season, averaging 108.6 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting from the field and 37.7 percent from long distance and has been a monster on offense in the playoffs as well, leading every team in the postseason in scoring while averaging 105.9 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point distance. Bettors who also think that home court advantage will prevail should also go with the Celtics in the BetUS Sportsbook as four of the seven games will be played at Boston's TD BankNorth Garden, including the opening and closing two contests of the series. Ultimately, the numbers say that the Lakers will cover the spread more often than not in this NBA Finals betting series. Los Angeles has gone an impressive 10-4 against the spread, (ATS) this postseason while the Celtics have struggled throughout the playoffs to cover the spread, recording an unimpressive 8-12 ATS record. The Celtics do hold a big advantage in Over/Under, (O/U) wagers going 9-11 this postseason while the Lakers has surprisingly gone just 5-10 in O/U wagers. In addition to the numerous sports wagering aspects of the game will be the public's perception of the legacies of four superstars, in Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and the Celtics Hall of Fame-bound trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. While Bryant has already pocketed three championship rings with the Lakers, he has yet to win one without Hall of Fame-bound center Shaquille O'Neal - and desperately wants to - in order to solidify his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Standing in his way will be Garnett, Pierce and Allen, three players who have been perennial all-stars for the majority of their respective careers but are all appearing in their first NBA Finals. While all four of these players feel the need to certify their respective careers with a championship ring this season, I have to believe that the Celtics' lack of a title - and appearance in the Finals for that matter - will give them just a bit more desire to win this championship than Bryant has - and that's saying something with Bryant's legendary competitiveness. Finally, let's look at the bottom line for the online sports wagering community, which is, 'which team has the overall advantage in this Finals matchup. While the Los Angeles Lakers are clear-cut favorites to win the 2007-08 NBA Championship at -180, despite not having home-court advantage in the NBA Finals Odds, I am a bit amazed by the fact that the Celtics have gotten a major lack of respect from both fans, and oddsmakers entering this series. Online bettors will find that the +150 NBA Finals Odds that the Celtics are offering in the BetUS Sportsbook are more than enticing - and have an excellent chance of actually coming through for those Celtics fans or basketball bettors who believe they are going to win no matter what. My advice for BetUS NBA online basketball bettors is to look to take the Lakers to cover the spread in the majority of the contests, though I am going against the popular consensus that the Lakers will actually win the NBA Championship this season. If you believe defense wins championships regardless of the sport, like I do, then I say roll with the Celtics. The Lakers have rolled throughout their portion of the Western Conference Finals this season but have yet to play a team of the Celtics' defensive caliber. Another fact bettors may want to look at is the Lakers' mediocre defense. The Lakers were ranked just 19th in defense during the regular season, allowing opponents to score 101.3 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent shooting from three-point distance. During the postseason, Los Angeles has improved just a tad with the slower pace of the postseason, allowing opponents to score 99.5 points per game on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.1 percent shooting from the field. While the Celtics have averaged just 91.6 points per game in the postseason on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 33.2 percent from long distance, representing a drop in all of their offensive categories from the regular season, I think their defense - and homecourt advantage will ultimately prevail. So, NBA online bettors - my advice is to take the Celtics to win the 2007-08 NBA Championship - and the wonderful NBA Odds that they are offering in the BetUS Sportsbook. NBA Free Pick: Celtics in Seven Games --- by BetUS at 1800-sports.com on June 05, 2008
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