NBA Finals odds between the Los Angles Lakers and Boston Celtics have favored the Lakers in four of the first five games. The Lakers were favored in NBA odds to win the overall series and were even favored at Boston in Game Two NBA Finals betting odds.
NBA odds have been adjusted as the series has progressed. The Celtics were a 2.5 point favorite in NBA betting odds in Game One. The Lakers were a one point favorite in NBA Finals odds for Game Two. In Game Three the Lakers were huge 9.5 point favorites in NBA Finals odds. Game Four the NBA odds dropped but the Lakers were still a 7.5 point favorite. In the first three games the Celtics covered the NBA odds pointspread. The Celtics won and covered the first two games at home and covered Game Three although they lost outright 87-81.
NBA odds have also been adjusted in terms of the total. The total has been in the range of about 192 points but it was adjusted upwards after Game Two when the two teams combined to score 210 points and then adjusted down after they got only 168 points in Game Three. What this tells you is that the oddsmakers have no clue as to what to make the totals for NBA Finals odds. Boston is a great defensive team and the Lakers are supposed to be a great offensive team. Except for one quarter in the first three games the Lakers have not shown that great offense and that has affected NBA betting odds.
The oddsmakers may have it wrong again in Game Four NBA betting odds. Both head coaches thought that jet lag was a factor in the poor offense in Game Three. It is very possible that NBA odds are too low on the Game Four total. Neither team shot the ball well in Game Three and that was a factor. Both teams have heard about how poorly they played in Game Three so offense should come much easier in Game Four and NBA odds may be too low on the total.
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