The Los Angeles Lakers were able to escape what became a thriller in game 1, because they came out jittery, hesitant and rusty. MVP Kobe Bryant did exactly what he’s supposed to do: that is, get his players involved early in the game (to get them into the flow), and then, let the game come to him. Make absolutely no mistake; Kobe Bryant can score the ball (regardless of who is covering him) at will, and at any time. And, everyone already knows what the guy can do defensively: 8-time member of the NBA’s defensive-first-team. That, combined with his work-ethic, desire, passion, and drive to win, I truly believe when his career is all said and done, he will be considered the best of all time… yes, even better than MJ. World Champions at Sportsbetting.com have the Los Angeles Lakers a -6 ½ point odds betting Western Conference Finals Prediction favorites over the San Antonio Spurs +6½ and the Over/Under in points set at a combined 192 ½ total points.        

It is truly inexplicable, how one guy can manhandle the reigning NBA Champions the way he did in game 1, keeping in mind the following: this is the same person who just a week ago, struggled to even walk, due to back-spasms; not to mention the fact that he has been playing with a dislocated pinkie/torn ligaments on his shooting (right) hand (which according to doctors required immediate season-ending surgery).

That is what separates Kobe Bryant, from the rest.

KB24’s desire and a will to win (as much as he hates the comparisons), has not been seen since No. 23 said farewell to the game of basketball.

Let’s look now, at the game on hand. In game 1, the Lakers did not play a good game at all (Wednesday night). Truth is, Kobe bailed them out.

Derek Fisher couldn’t hit the water if he fell off a boat. Lamar Odom was absolutely a non-factor on the scoreboard (8 total points) and on the def/off. boards (8 rebounds total, all game). And Pau Gasol, was held under his 2008 playoffs scoring and rebound average (scoring 19 points and grabbing 7 boards).

These are not, winning NBA playoffs numbers, for a team like the Lakers (not know for their defense). Yet, they came back from a late 3rd quarter 20-point deficit, and ripped the hearts straight off the chests’ of the defending NBA Champions, San Antonio Spurs... That right there, is showing me something.

Side Note: That is also, one of the main reasons why I refuse to pick the Celtics to advance any further, not until I see something... so far, (as a team) they haven’t showed me a thing (only Kevin Garnett).  

Interesting Fact: The Zen Master, Phil Jackson, as a head-coach, has a 40 - 0 record in playoffs series, after winning game 1.  

My NBA Prediction: LAL -6½

I Look for LA to come out strong, with a sense of urgency, and for this game to be controlled by LA in the early going.

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What I have done lately...  

*I picked Detroit to upset the Celtics at home, in game 2, and I predicted the OVER 172 last night.

*Picked the Lakers to eliminate the Jazz at Utah (in game 6).

*Predicted San Antonio to win on the road (in game 7) at New Orleans.

*I picked Detroit to close out the Magic.

Even though they won Game 1 by only nine points, the Boston Celtics were thoroughly dominant over the Detroit Pistons in the first game of their Eastern Conference Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics final series. Now, Boston will attempt to repeat that effort when the two meet at TD Banknorth Garden on Thursday night for Game 2 of this series. The odds on the Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics game favors the home Boston Celtics -3.5 points at reliable reduced juice sportsbook BetOnline.com.

The Pistons appeared as though they were the team who went to seven games in their last series, not Boston, as they showed no sense of urgency during Game 1's 88-79 loss. The knock on the Pistons is that they get bored sometimes, as they believe they can dig themselves out of any hole. But the Celtics are far too good for that, which means the Pistons must treat each game in Boston as a Game 7. If the Pistons can sneak out a win on the road, that puts pressure on the Celtics to finally win on the road. Tayshaun Prince was the high scorer in game 1 with 16 points for the Pistons, who shot just 42.4% from the floor.

The Celtics won their ninth consecutive game at home during this postseason run, and as usual, the duo of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were at the forefront. Garnett dropped a game-high 26 points and added nine rebounds, while Pierce followed up his 41-point performance in Game 7 against Cleveland with 22 points. It has truly been a tale of two teams when it comes to the Celtics during the playoffs, as they have held the opposition to 37.9% from the floor in their nine home wins, but 45.7% in their six losses. After Boston's 31-10 record on the road during the regular season, this would have to be considered a huge surprise.

The NBA betting OVER\UNDER on the Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics game is 172 points. The Celtics feed off their deafening fans, so it would be wise for the Pistons to get off to a good start or else Boston could hammer Detroit at home. Boston rarely fall behind at home, so expect Boston to take a 2-0 series lead back to Detroit on Thursday.

NBA Pick: BOSTON CELTICS -3

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The Boston Celtics remained undefeated at home with a game 1 victory over the well-rested Detroit Pistons. Usually after a long layoff, the biggest concern for a team is the rest-or-rust factor. For Detroit, they were completely oxidized. They came out in the first quarter with absolutely no intensity, as they fell behind early, and the Celtics never relinquished. SBGglobal.com has the Boston Celtics a -4 point favorite against the Detroit Pistons (+4) with the Over/Under set a combined 172 total points.

The Boston Celtics came out strong in game 1, with a ruckus Boston Garden crowd behind them. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce both had very good games. KG finished with 26 points, 9 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. While Pierce contributed to the cause with 22 points of his own. In these 2008 Playoffs, the Celtics are 9-0 at home, but 0-6 on the road. 

For Detroit, it was a very uncharacteristic performance. Even though they starter off very slow, they picked it up a bit at the end; a classic case of too-little-too-late.

They were outscored in the 1st and the 3rd quarter, by a much aggressive green team.

Veteran PG Chauncey Billups was also a non-factor in game 1. Coming off an injured hamstring in the Cleveland series, Billups never really looked right as he finished the game with 9 points in only 3-6 shooting, and only 2 assists in 31 minutes played. The high point man for the Detroit was Tayshaun Prince with 16 points, followed by McDyess’ 14.

In the O/U for game 1, the Pistons and the Celtics scored a combined 167 total points, UNDER the projected 174.

My NBA Eastern Finals Prediction: DET+4

Bonus Prediction: OVER 172

Over the last decade or so, the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers have dominated the world of professional basketball: winning 7 of the last 9 NBA Championships. Although through the years, both teams have gone through some transformations, the superstars have remained the same: Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, Gregg Papovich and Phil Jackson. Wednesday night’s game 1 of my NBA Western Conference Finals Prediction, undeniably, represents the start of a brand new chapter in the books of these franchises’ marvelous histories. Sportsbetting.com has the Los Angeles Lakers a –7 point betting odds favorites to win game 1 when they host the San Antonio Spurs +7 and the Over/Under has been set a combined 196 total points.

Even though these two teams have been the most prominent in the NBA, since the departure of the “best of all-time” -Michael Jordan- they both seem to be heading in different directions, in the not so distant future.

For the San Antonio Spurs, their peers have considered them: the best defensive, most composed, and best coached veteran team in the NBA today.

They are truly the epitome of a championship caliber club: Just when you think they’re done… they rise. And just when you think it’s safe to bet against them… you’ve lost.

They are a team with a strong/sold foundation; they don’t dazzle you with spectacular dunks, or flashy passes. The San Antonio Spurs are the most fundamentally sound team, in today’s not so fundamentally inclined league. But there’s also a downfall to prolonged greatness… they’re old.

This year (2008) might easily be the last chance the San Antonio Spurs will get to complete back-to-back championships in the Duncan-Papovich era.

Tonight, they will need all the superlatives above mentioned, as they’ll go against the future undisputed NBA kings: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and the Zen-Master, Phil Jackson.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, they don’t think, they don’t hope, they don’t pray... they KNOW they can win. Kobe Bryant has made his players, believe. This team is playing with so much confidence, it pours out of the building. And whoever steps onto the floor (with the Lakers), with anything less than their A-game (on any given nigh) will get blown out.