Bryant gets lots of help from trio

It will be remembered as Kobe Bryant’s fifth NBA championship and possibly the crowning achievement on his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The best in the game now, Bryant deserves all the praise he gets.

But three other players definitely should not be forgotten. Without prime-time contributions from Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Derek Fisher, the Lakers would be full of regret today.

Under the intense spotlight of Game 7, Bryant was bobbling the opportunity. He was forcing bad shots and putting himself on the brink of a classic collapse. But Gasol and Artest seized the moment and saved their leading man’s legacy.

The Lakers, favorites to win the title before this marathon season and going into the Finals, earned it the hard way with an 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The league’s hottest rivalry turned into a thriller that went the distance, and that’s always good for business at Las Vegas sports books. The NBA Finals are not the Super Bowl — not even close — but this series generated a strong wagering handle and proved worth the hype, even if it lacked style points.

Oddsmakers opened the Lakers as 7-point favorites in Game 7, and the underdog Celtics were tough enough to cover.

“Anytime you get something like this, where the favorite wins the game but doesn’t cover the spread, 90 percent of the time it’s a great result for the house,” said Jimmy Vaccaro, director of operations for Lucky’s sports books.

Similar to the Super Bowl, the public bet the underdog on the money line, Vaccaro said. The Celtics were about plus-300 for the game, and they gave bettors a good run for their money.

The Lakers, minus-190 series favorites two weeks ago, delivered for those us who picked them to win in seven.

It was hideous offensive basketball Thursday, and Bryant’s nightmare was unfolding. Ironically, the star who carried the Lakers most of the way needed a push from teammates to reach the top.

Gasol finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Artest had 20 points and five steals, and his 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining put the Lakers up six.

“Artest is a knucklehead, but he made two monster shots to win the game,” Vaccaro said.

Down 13 points in the third quarter, and with Bryant falling on his face, Artest and Gasol gave the Lakers a second wind.

“Everybody was tight at the beginning. Obviously, you knew sometime the Lakers were going to make a run,” Vaccaro said.

Artest’s three-point play tied the score at 61 with 7:29 left. Gasol’s layup put the Lakers ahead 76-70 with 1:30 remaining. In a game the Celtics had controlled, they were suddenly in jeopardy of not covering.

If you bet Boston plus-7, give thanks to Rajon Rondo. His offensive rebound and 3-pointer from the corner was an amazing play that pulled the Celtics within 81-79 with 16 seconds to go.

The last five games of the series were a physical slugfest, making it fitting that Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White was sitting courtside for the finale. The total in Game 7 was 187, and it was obvious that number was way too high while the Celtics grinded out a 40-34 halftime lead.

“They could play another two quarters and they couldn’t get over the total,” Vaccaro said. “Six of the seven games went under, and it didn’t hurt us one bit.”

Why anyone would bet over the total, after witnessing the pace that had been established in the series, is somewhat mind-boggling. The score landed 25 points under the total even with a furious finish.

When it was done, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said no player in the game was more valuable than Artest. Bryant, showing some humility, heaped praise on Gasol.

Bryant finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds, but he shot 6-for-24 from the field and missed all six of his 3-pointers. The proposition total for Bryant’s points was 30½, and he never came close.

But his prop for made free throws was 7½, and he topped that by making 11 of 15.

The Lakers won the game at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. That’s part of the reason I picked the Lakers to win in seven. Home-court advantage in the NBA is a meaningful thing.

The other reason was Bryant, who was expected to take over Game 7. He was good enough in spots, but Gasol and Artest were better when it mattered most.

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.