Lakers’ rally adds interest
It’s difficult to determine the impact of the Lakers’ fourth-quarter comeback in Game 2 had on gambling, but it’s safe to say it has made things interesting.
Although Boston won, 108-102, the Lakers’ ability to rally late in the game from a 24-point deficit has had a major effect on point-spread and money-line bets for tonight’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which is at Staples Center.
The Lakers opened as favorites with a line ranging from eight to 9.5 points, but money has flowed in the direction of the Celtics.
“We opened with the Lakers at 9.5 and 196 [over/under combined points total], with a money line of Lakers at -700 and the Celtics at +500, which is a little higher than usual due to the circumstances of the Lakers being down 2-0,” said Jeff Sherman, the race and sports assistant manager at the Las Vegas Hilton.
“Early money has come in on Boston, which moved the Celtics’ moneyline to +450 and the Lakers’ to -600.”
TheSpread.com’s betting chart, a consensus of public wagers made against the point spread for Game 3, had Boston receiving 63% of the bets as of Monday night.
Wagerline.com had the Celtics getting 64% of the picks against the spread.
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