The Los Angeles Lakes and the San Antonio Spurs are battling in an intense series over which team will move on to the NBA finals against either the Pistons or Celtics (after yesterday’s game, I consider Boston a stronger candidate to get to the finals). Kobe Bryant has led the Lakers to a 3 to 1 lead over the Spurs and game 5 is programmed for tonight at 9 p.m. The Spurs were down 2 to 0, but won game three and they are now facing elimination after losing game 4. Game 5 is in the StaplesCenter in Downtown Los Angeles and the betting favorite in this situation has to be the Lakers. But based on both teams’ records, the situation is a little uncertain, the Lakers have won 3 championships in the last decade and the Spurs have won 4, so they both have solid teams and plenty of talent to qualify for the NBA final.

Now, if we take in consideration the odds released by the online sportsbetting industry, you will possibly think that it is easy to figure out which team has more chances to become the first team to qualify for the finals. BodogLife Sportsbook.com has the Spurs listed at +8 (-115) and Los Angeles at -8 (-105) with a game total of 194 (-110 O/U), same as in BookMaker.com and WagerWeb.com. Pinnacle Sports listed the same spread at -104 and a total of 193 ½ (-107 O/-103 U).

Even when in the NBA the home court advantage is a plus,  the Lakers have to define the series in game 5 because it won’t be easy to win in San Antonio in game 6 and anything is possible in a game 7.

However, the Spurs will have a good chance to comeback and win thanks to the return of the pivotal Tim Duncan in their line-up.  But the Spurs will also have to unleash all their best shooters if they want to stay alive and bring the series back to the San Antonio. With Duncan and Ginobili in front of the team, Robert Horry will have to do his best at the 3 point line so the Spurs can take the lead in the game and put the series 3-2. But if  for the Lakers close out the series tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised if they win in the finals too.