First, this article is sensationalist tripe. Why?

Correlative, not causal. Please learn the difference.

Why on earth would Vegas bet on the Lakers, you ask?

1) LA is better in the interior with the addition of Pau Gasol, thus making their perimeter shooting more effective, thus making them more dangerous offensively. They could be ranked amongst the top 5 teams of all time.

2) LA knocked off the defending champs in five games, making the Spurs look as though they didn't even have their starters on the floor most of the time.

3) Oh, here's the big one ... Boston played two seven game series and a 6 game series, and looked as though they were truly struggling at times. LA played a 4 game series, a 6 game series, and a 5 game series. The team to play a shorter number of games in the playoffs almost always wins the finals.

4) Kobe's won championships. Fisher has won championships. Phil Jackson? Won championships. The Celts? Well, I guess Sam Cassell has, but considering he's been riding the pine a lot of late, I'm not sure that counts for much. Vegas bets on history and experience, not intangibles.

Please, get a grip and attempt to do some actual research on the sport in question before you fly off the handle and make crazy accusations of racial bias.

Personally, I'm rooting for the Celts, but they've definitely got their hands full. :)

Oh yeah, forgot about him.

Testament to just how many players the Celts picked up this year...