NBA Finals Game 4 Preview/Pick
The Lakers almost had the NBA Finals odds wrapped up with a nice little bow entering Game 3; they were ready to cruise to the title and maybe hit the golf course like those guys playing their St. Jude odds this weekend. Then the pesky Magic had to shoot the lights out – they do that sometimes – and climb back into the series. Can Orlando do it again in Game 4?
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NBA Finals odds: Game 4 Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET
Favorite: Magic -2 ½
Any fan of betting online who watches the Magic knows how they tick. When their shooting is on, they’re virtually unstoppable. If it goes cold, they struggle to win games. At home in Game 3, the shooting more than clicked – to the tune of a ridiculous 63 per cent.
Seemingly everyone joined the Magic party. Dwight “Superman” Howard had a typical 21-point, 14-rebound performance but also got to the line 16 times and sunk 11 free throws. Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis were up to their usual tricks too, dropping 18 and 21 points, respectively. The nicest surprise for the Magic’s NBA odds was a return to form from struggling guard Rafer Alston, who had 20 points and shot 66 per cent from the field.
That the Lakers still only lost 108-104 despite Orlando’s superhuman effort is a testament to how good Phil Jackson’s team is. Kobe Bryant labored his way to 31 points and struggled at the charity stripe. He’ll have to be better in Game 4. The real problem was the inside scoring; Andrew Bynum had just two field goals in 22 minutes and Lamar Odom, who was great in Game 2, had just 11 points in 32 minutes.
The biggest question for online wagering fans is sustainability. Was the Magic’s Game-3 effort a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come?
Well, it’s never a good sign when you shoot 66 per cent and only win by four. The Magic are still over-reliant on their shooting and there’s no telling if it will show up again for Game 4. Odom will probably wake up for Game 4 and Pau Gasol is still dialed in, making shots from everywhere. As for Kobe, they call him the Closer for a reason; yes, he was uncharacteristically brutal down the stretch in Game 3 and the Lakers easily could’ve won if he’d made another shot or two. But lightning doesn’t strike twice for future Hall-of-Famers like him. Don’t be surprised if he has his best game of the series on Thursday night. The Lakers will bounce back.
Offshore sportsbook pick: Lakers +2 ½
