Column: Best Bets

There is plenty of action in the world of sports betting this week, so let's get right to it.

- The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 15-point fourth quarter deficit in Game 7 of their series against Portland to advance to the NBA finals. After four failed attempts in the conference championships, Indiana finally gets a crack at its first world title. But it appears to be pretty much of a foregone conclusion that Los Angeles ultimately will be crowned the champs.

Obviously, the Lakers have a huge edge with league MVP Shaquille O'Neal at center, and O'Neal will help expose the Pacers' weakness in the rebounding department, but Los Angeles' greatest advantage is in coaching.

In Phil Jackson's first year at the helm, Los Angeles posted the best record in the NBA at 67-15. Jackson possesses the highest win percentage in the history of the NBA regular season and playoffs, and he guided Chicago to six championships. Jackson hasn't lost a playoff series since 1995 and changed Michael Jordan from a playoff loser to the most celebrated player n the game.

When Indiana loses Game 1, the Pacers are 0-11 in series, so the only question is how many games Indiana will win. The Pacers are an excellent home team, and with the ridiculous 2-3-2 finals format, they can make this a respectable series. I'll give Indiana 2-of-3 games at home. Los Angeles in six.

As far as the Over/Unders are concerned in this series, Indiana was the best three-point and free-throw shooting team in the league, so I like Overs. Yes, Game 1 went Under, but the Pacers' Reggie Miller shot 1-for -16 from the Field and totaled seven points, which won't happen again.

Numerous prop bets are also available at Carson City sports books.

- The NHL playoffs have nearly reached their conclusion as of Wednesday evening, and I've been surprised by New Jersey's strong play. Now I don't know what to expect. If the series is still going Saturday, I like the under 4 in Dallas.

- Saturday afternoon the third jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown, the 132nd running of the 1 mile Belmont Stakes, takes place at Belmont Park in New York. For the first time in 30 years, neither the winner of the Kentucky Derby (Fusaichi Pegasus) nor the Preakness Stakes (Red Bullet) will be saddled for the event.

In the Belmont, horses have a tough time making up ground because the pace tends to be slower in such a long race, so handicappers should be looking for horses that stay near the pace and have enough left to last through the stretch.

Win - Unshaded. The improving gelding was supplemented into the race for $100,000, so expectations are high in the Unshaded camp.

Place - Aptitude. This second-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby is clearly the horse to beat, but at the low opening line odds of 8/5, I refuse to bet him to win.

Show - Impeachment. All this horse seems to do is finish third in these Triple Crown races and could join Maine Minister as the only ones to show in all three.

Other threats - Wheelaway, Globalize and Curule.

- Tennis' second major, the French Open from Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, is coming to a close. On the women's side, Mary Pierce and Conchita Martinez will duke it out in a match that for me is too close to call, although Pierce should win it.

On the men's side my pre-tournament pick, Gustavo Kuerten, will have a tough battle with Juan Carlos Ferreo, at 20 years old already the best Spaniard in the game. Sweden's Magnus Norman, who believe it or not is ranked No. 1 in the world, should have an easier time with Argentina's Franco Squillari.

Finals - Kuerten over Norman.

- The College World Series begins today from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb.

Considering the fact that Louisiana-Lafayette and San Jose State are competing for the first time, I am eliminating those two from championship consideration. That leaves Clemson, Louisiana State, Southern Cal, Texas, Florida State and Stanford in the hunt.

Prediction - Winning the CWS has become somewhat of a ritual for Louisiana State. With championships in 1991, 1993, 1996 and 1997, the Tigers never go three years without a title.

- The 2000 U.S. Open golf tournament starts Thursday from Pebble Beach, Calif. Player matchups are available at Cal-Neva sports books. I have no predictions at this time.

- Joe Ellison is the Nevada Appeal betting columnist.