Kobe Bryant scored 38 points for the Lakers in the Game 5 loss.
The hopes for back-to-back titles are quickly fading for the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare to host the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.
Bookmaker.com has Los Angeles as 6 ½-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 187 ½-points.
The Celtics (65-39 straight-up, 48-54-2 against the spread) are one win away from their 18th title and second in three years. They’ll have to do it in enemy territory with the last two games in Los Angeles.
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Boston won Game 5 on Sunday night, 92-86, as two-point favorites. Paul Pierce finally showed his 2008 Finals MVP form, scoring 27 points. Kobe Bryant had a monster game with 38 points in the losing effort.
Boston is now 15-2 SU and ATS in the playoffs when holding its opponent under 100 points. Los Angeles’ point totals have decreased every game (102, 94, 91, 89, 86) as Boston is dictating the tempo of play.
The 178 combined points in Game 5 went ‘under’ the 188 ½-point total. The ‘under’ is 3-0 in the last three games and 3-1-1 in the series. The ‘under’ is 5-1-1 in the seven meetings between the teams this year.
The Lakers (71-32 SU, 44-56-3 ATS) are also having questions on the defensive end. Boston shot 56.3 percent from the field last game and again had more points in the paint (46-32).
Center Andrew Bynum was able to play 32 minutes after just 12 in Game 4, but his knee is clearly bothering him. He had one rebound and no blocks. The Lakers had just one blocked shot after averaging 7.7 the first four games.
Kobe Bryant did his best to keep Los Angeles alive. Trailing 45-39 at halftime, Bryant scored Los Angeles’ first 19 points of the third quarter, an incredible offensive show. However, his teammates were standing around watching him on both ends of the court, and Boston actually increased its lead (67-58) during the barrage.
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Los Angeles shot just 39.7 percent from the floor, with Pau Gasol (12 points) the only Laker in double-digits (12) besides Bryant. The Lakers had just 12 assists and need much better ball movement on Tuesday.
Pierce’s offensive outburst was a great sign for Boston, but he was helped by 18 points each by Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, plus 12 from Ray Allen. Boston knew it couldn’t depend on its bench again, and Los Angeles’ subs outscored them 14-13.
The Celtics have been a very good road team all year at 32-19 SU and 27-23-1 ATS. That includes going 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven away games. Boston won two road games in both the Cleveland and Orlando series.
The Lakers are 43-8 SU at home, but just 22-27-2 ATS. They were 9-0 SU (6-3 ATS) at home in the playoffs before Boston won Game 2, 103-94 as six-point ‘dogs.
That was the game Allen exploded for 32 points and a record eight three-pointers. He’s averaging just 8.7 PPG since. Boston needs a number of players to step up to close out the series.
The ‘over’ is 6-1-1 in Los Angeles’ last eight home games, including 1-0-1 this series.
The one day’s rest would seem to hurt the older Celtics. However, they’re 8-4 ATS in the playoffs on one day’s rest, while Los Angeles is 5-7 ATS.
Bynum is the only injury to report. No one knows how his knee will respond, but the short turnaround between games can’t help.
ABC will have the 6 p.m. (PT) broadcast from Staples Center. A potential Game 7 will be held Thursday night in Los Angeles.