Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 16 May 2009 / Leave a comment

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers lost on Thursday evening and as a result both teams could be eliminated from the play-offs on Sunday, writes Nick Shiambouros

The Orlando Magic beat the Celtics 83-75 in a gruelling contest to force a deciding game seven in Boston on Sunday.

Boston were in control for most of the game and had a 10 point lead in the third quarter. However, in the final period Orlando wore down a very tired Celtic defense and once they took the lead late in the game it was all over. In truth both teams shot the ball poorly but it has to be said that Boston gave this game away.

Boston face no easy task on Sunday against a spirited Orlando team. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have averaged over 40 minutes apiece in this series and they look exhausted .The one advantage Boston has over the Magic though is experience. The Celtics will be in their fourth game seven series in the last two post-seasons and I think this will be the deciding factor on Sunday. The Magic will have to withstand a lot of early pressure from Boston and they just might buckle. Another important factor is the poor free throw shooting of Dwight Howard. If it is close towards the end of the game the Celtics will happily put him on the line. I just favour Boston in this deciding game with the handicap (-2.5). The winner has the unenviable task of facing a rested Cleveland Cavalier team in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers were thrashed 95-80 by the Houston Rockets on Thursday . The Rockets came out swinging in the opening quarter with heavy scoring from Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks to lead 27-15. The Lakers threw in the towel after that opening salvo and never looked like getting in to the game at any point.

A lot of the responsibility for the Laker's lack of effort must rest with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Gasol looked half asleep as the Rockets blew by him at will in the paint. It is not the first time that Gasol has looked out of focus in critical games. His lack-lustre play was one of the main reasons the Lakers lost to the Celtics in last year's NBA finals.

Kobe Bryant had a dreadful night by his high standards. Bryant called for the ball all night long but his shot selection was very poor. When the Lakers are in these situations Bryant holds on to the ball too long and it cost his team dearly on Thursday night.

The Lakers are 12.5 point favourites to win the deciding game seven on Sunday at the Staples Center. I do not think this represents value as they are under enormous pressure. The Rockets have nothing to lose and if they get an early lead they could give Los Angeles plenty to think about. My money is going on Houston with the handicap as I think it could be closer than people think. The winner will face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals.