Lakers hold edge after physical first half in Game 1 of NBA Finals

Basketball Betting Lines

06/03/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored 12 points in a first half best summarized by physical play and foul trouble, as the Los Angeles Lakers hold a 50-41 halftime edge over Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

In a championship series matching the last two NBA champions, the defending- champion Lakers matched Boston's highly-publicized defensive intensity in the opening 24 minutes.

Lamar Odom was whistled for three fouls while three other Lakers have two fouls at the half. Tony Allen and Ray Allen each are saddled with three fouls for the Celtics.

The Lakers sprinted to a double-digit edge behind a late first-half surge. Holding a 37-35 advantage, the home team rattled off an 11-2 stretch capped by Derek Fisher's driving layup for a 48-37 lead with just under one minute to play.

Gasol added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Rajon Rondo led Boston with 10 points, including a jumper to beat the buzzer and cut the deficit to 50-41 at the half. Andrew Bynum started for the Lakers despite having fluid drained from his right knee earlier in the week, scoring seven points with five rebounds in 14 minutes.

The first quarter featured bodies flying and a physicality typical of this rivalry. Ron Artest and Paul Pierce, arms tangled under the basket, hit the hardwood simultaneously and were whistled for a double technical just 27 seconds in.

The Lakers held a 16-10 lead over halfway in on a Gasol putback off a Bryant miss. Boston cut the deficit to one late in the period but Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown each streaked through the lane for successive layups and a 26-21 edge after 12 minutes of game action.

The first quarter featured more personal fouls (18) than field goals (16), a combination of solid defense and first-quarter nerves.

The 2010 NBA Finals marks the Lakers' 31st trip to the championship series and Boston's 21st appearance with 12 of those overlapping in clashes between the NBA's two storied franchises.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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