Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics Thurs. Feb. 10, 2011 8 p.m. EST

Last year’s NBA Finals was epic to say the least as two of the league’s biggest rivals in the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics went head-to-head in a series that went down to a seventh game with a thrilling finish.

The Lakers may have come out on top in the NBA Finals for the second straight time and cemented themselves as arguably the best team in the league once again, but their campaign for a three consecutive NBA title has been rough to say the least. Kobe Bryant and company are still amongst the best in the league and are sitting well above .500 with a 36-16 record heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics, but they haven’t been able to compete with the likes of the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs.

Along with losing to all three of the teams mentioned above, they also lost the Boston Celtics in convincing fashion in their last meeting a few weeks ago. Not only was the loss to the Celtics disappointing as the defending champs always want to get the best of their division rivals during the regular season, but it has started a lot of trade talk around the league with Lakers putting names like Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest on the open market.

There have already been a few trade scenarios involving Bynum and Artest, but it is uncertain whether or not Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak will pull the trigger on a deal before the Feb. 24 NBA trade deadline.

In the meantime, the Lakers are focused on the Celtics and beating their arch rivals on their home floor in Boston. As of right now, the Celtics have been given the edge in this game with a -3.5 point spread, but I believe we will see the Lakers get back on track with an impressive win on Thursday.

We are going to take the Lakers at -3.

Check out the latest odds and spreads at the best online sportsbooks:

BetDSI Sportsbook:
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers +3 & Boston Celtics -3
Moneyline: N/A
Over/Under: Los Angeles Lakers 110 over & Boston Celtics 110 under (187.5)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers +3 & Boston Celtics -3
Moneyline: N/A
Over/Under: Los Angeles Lakers 110 over & Boston Celtics 110 under (187.5)

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