The NBA Finals will tip off on Thursday night as the Lakers and Celtics clash in the championship round for the 12th time.

The Lakers and Celtics have a lot of history, and most of it has been very good for Boston. In their previous 11 meetings in the Finals Boston has won nine times. That includes the 2008 title just two years ago, when the Celtics won the series 4-2.

Boston may have history on their side in the matchup, but the Lakers are the favorites when it comes to the odds. Over at Bodog Los Angeles is a -180 series favorite heading into Game 1. Boston is down as a +160 underdog, but that shouldn't worry them too much because they were also underdogs before knocking off both Cleveland and Orlando this postseason.

Boston's march to the Finals took them through the Heat, the Cavaliers, and the Magic. Everyone expected a Lakers-Magic rematch in the Finals, but the Celtics squashed that by eliminating the favored Magic in six games.

The Lakers’ playoff run included stops against the Thunder, Jazz, and Suns. Los Angeles stopped Phoenix in six games, finally getting some revenge for a couple past playoff defeats at the hands of the Suns.

The Lakers and Celtics collided twice during the regular season, and if their Finals contests come close to matching their regular season battles then bettors should expect some close games. Both regular season matchups were decided by a single point, with both the Celtics and Lakers winning on the road. Those roads wins could be hard to come by in the Finals as the Lakers are 8-0 at home in the postseason, while the Celtics are 7-2 in Boston.

When the Celtics and Lakers faced off in the Finals two years ago the MVP went to Paul Pierce. If Pierce steps up to claim the MVP again he'll do it as an underdog. With the Lakers favored to win the series Kobe Bryant is a heavy favorite to win the MVP at 4/7. Think about it. If the Lakers do win is there really a chance anyone other than Kobe would win the MVP? If you do think the impossible could happen you can still get Pau Gasol at 7/1 or Lamar Odom at 30/1.

Rajon Rondo has been the Celtics’ leader on the court throughout the postseason and he's the favorite to take home MVP honors for Boston at 5/2. Other reasonable Boston options include Ray Allen at 10/1 and Kevin Garnett at 20/1. Smart bettors would likely just lay some cash on Kobe, Rondo, and Pierce, because anyone else is likely just giving your money away.

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