Ala Hann Sport picks

The NBA betting cognoscenti is mulling over its next choice. The online betting calculus is in a pronounced state of flux as Game 3 of the NBA Finals comes across the calendar. For the first time since 2004, the Finals are tied at 1-1 after the first two games. In 2004, the Detroit Pistons became the first team to win the three middle games at home since the Finals switched to the current 2-3-2 scheduling system in 1985. In 2006, the Miami Heat also defended home court in Games 3, 4 and 5. A lot of people are wondering if Boston can take the next three games at home, but if the Celtics do have to go back to L.A., it’s universally acknowledged that they must have a 3-2 lead at the very least. This means that winning Game 3 is a very high priority. The direction of this series could very well depend on what happens Tuesday night.

2010 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics, Game 3

Tuesday, June 8

Bookmaker Odds: No line (as of yet)

If NBA Finals betting experts are conflicted about this game, they need to identify a number of trends. First of all, Rajon Rondo is back. A 19-12-10 effort in Game 2 (points-rebounds-assists) reasserted the point guard’s prominence on the Celtics and has to have Boston in a very good frame of mind. Rondo was so good that the Celtics won by nine points, 103-94, on a night when their two old stand-bys, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, played horribly. Garnett is playing comatose, body-snatched basketball in this series. The former superstar scored only six points and snatched just four rebounds. Garnett was a liability for almost all of the game, and he just couldn’t generate any lift or jump with a body that looks 40 years old.

The other big name who isn’t delivering for coach Doc Rivers is Mr. Pierce. The MVP of the 2008 Finals hit just 2 of 11 shots on Sunday night at the Staples Center. Hounded by L.A.’s defensive specialist, Ron Artest, Pierce scored just 10 points and was a non-factor from start to finish. The idea that the Celtics could win under such circumstances is amazing enough. The fact that the deed was done in Los Angeles is even more remarkable.

Just how could the Lakers lose Game 2 when Artest was doing his typical defensive lock-down job against a credentialed scorer?

The answer comes in the form of two words: Lamar Odom.

The rangy forward crashed and burned for a second consecutive game. Odom is the barometer for the Lakers. His energy comes and goes, and he is a feast-or-famine player. When Odom is flying around the court and using his combination of quickness and length to bother opponents, L.A. is positively unstoppable. When he flatlines, however, the Lakers become mortal, and that’s what happened in Game 2. Odom picked up three fouls in the game’s first three minutes, did a lot of sitting on the pine, and never got into the flow of the contest. Odom finished with an embarrassing 3 points and 5 rebounds. Coach Phil Jackson sorely missed Odom’s production and will need it as this series shifts to Boston.

It must be said, though, that Odom tends to disappear on the road more than at home. If he couldn’t perform in Southern California, it’s not likely that he’ll play well in Boston. Odom could be viewed in much the same way that World Cup odds view France’s underachieving soccer team: not favorably.

Pick the Celtics in Game 3.

Online basketball betting pick: Boston