Nick Parsons Available Picks

June, 08 2008 9:00pm EST
ATS: Los Angeles Lakers +2 (-110)
LOSS for -3 unit(s)

Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics

Play ON Los Angeles Lakers (+) @ Boston @ 9:05 PM ET – The Lakers dropped Game One in Boston on Thursday but they should bounce right back on Sunday. Los Angeles did win each of the first two games of their first three series in these playoffs. It’s highly unlikely that they will go from that level of success to now dropping each of the first two games in this series. The fact is that the Game One loss was a four point game late in the contest and the Lakers were “right there” even though Kobe Bryant couldn’t establish his rhythm. Give credit to the Celtics defense for that but also understand that Bryant seemed to have a lot of shots rattle out after going nearly halfway down. For Bryant only to make 9 of 26 from the floor and the Lakers to still be involved in a four point game late in the contest says a lot about how Game Two may play out. Look for Bryant to bounce back as he was getting open looks (they just weren’t falling for him). Also look for the Lakers to be a little more aggressive in getting after loose balls and crashing the boards harder. Los Angeles was hurt in the rebound department and Boston did seem to show more hustle and desire on loose balls. That will turn around in Game Two as that is what losing does to a strong team. It makes them hungry as good teams take great pride in bouncing back after a loss. The Lakers have only lost two straight once since March. That was when they lost back to back games to the Jazz in Utah. However, the second of the two losses came in overtime and the Lakers certainly came very close to the upset win on the road. They will get the upset in this one. They’re a very small dog in Game Two for a reason. The Celtics may have got the win in Game One but the Lakers showed the odds makers quite a bit. To come up just short (game was closer than ten point final score) even though Bryant shot so poorly and the Lakers bench was just 5 of 15 from the floor speaks volumes about what to expect in Game Two. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson will certainly have some adjustments in place for Sunday’s game and better shooting from the key sources noted above is likely and will certainly help Los Angeles. Also, both Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce got hurt in Game One and, while Pierce’s “heroics”, after he came back in the game, were impressive, both he and Perkins could be somewhat limited with regards to Game Two. Lakers bounce back in a big way here!