With Los Angeles already on the verge of advancing to the NBA Finals, I guess we could see a retro series between L.A. and Boston after all.

You read it folks, much to the dismay of my man J.J. Jack, the Pistons are on the verge of taking an exit in the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Finals after losing 106-102 to the Celtics in Boston.

After struggling so much in the playoffs, the Boston Celtics now have the opportunity to clinch this series and advance to the 2008 NBA Finals when this best-of-seven affair resumes at the Palace of Auburn Hills for Game 6.

The Detroit Pistons did put a valiant effort in the fourth quarter, giving themselves a chance to still steal Game 5 in Boston. Unfortunately for them, the fat lady was just singing for the other team.

Ray Allen came up with his best performance of the 2008 NBA playoffs, putting up 29 points in 5-6 shooting from the field. And while Allen was shooting the lights out, Kevin Garnett was even better.

Kevin Garnett, signed by Boston in the offseason to win a championship, scored a game-high 33 points to lead the Celtics past Detroit. And as if that wasn’t enough to spoil the Pistons’ plans for a title, Kendrick Perkins (of all people…) came up with career-highs of 18 points and 16 rebounds to put the Celtics a win away from making a return to the biggest stage in all of basketball.

‘’We knew the significance of this game,'’ Kevin Garnett said, whose 33 points were his most in the playoffs this year.

‘’You don’t win this game, you put basically yourself in a corner. They’re experienced, and they’ve been in a lot of pressure situations. Now it’s up to us to go up there and try to get one.'’

Chauncey Billups, after a string of poor performances since his right hamstring injury, came up with 26 points to lead Detroit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. Game 6 is on Friday back at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons have to win it and extend it to a Game 7 if they still have plans to foil this retro series between Boston and L.A. in the 2008 NBA Finals.

Who will win the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Detroit Pistons 6.50

Boston Celtics 2.75

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

Detroit Pistons Boston Celtics