The LA Lakers and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs Lakers Pick.
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers beat the Raptors, lost to the Suns, and they play the Celtics next. The Lakers have won 22 of their last 30 regular season games.
The LA Lakers are averaging 119.1 points on 51.3 percent shooting and allowing 115.9 points on 48.3 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 35.3 points and 8.9 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 28.1 points and 5.7 rebounds. Deandre Ayton is the third double-digit scorer, and LeBron James is grabbing 4 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Wizards and Knicks, and they play the Raptors next. The Celtics have won 8 of their last 10 games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 115.3 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 111.2 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 29 points and 6 rebounds, while Payton Pritchard is averaging 17.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Anfernee Simons is grabbing 2.1 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last nine home games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against Atlantic Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Celtics’ last seven games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games against Atlantic Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Celtics have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a road win.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last six games against the Celtics following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Celtics’ last nine games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- The Celtics are allowing just 100.5 points per 48 minutes while Neemias Queta are on the floor this season – lowest mark of any qualified player in the league.
- Derrick White rank 3rd amongst qualified players for steals + blocks per game (2.9) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (71.3%) this season.
- Austin Reaves is one of only five players in the league to have scored 40+ points in consecutive games this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (5.6).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (11.6).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (82.8).
Celtics vs Lakers Injury Report
The Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury. Jaylen Brown is questionable with an illness.
Marcus Smart is out for the Lakers with a back issue. Luka Doncic is questionable for personal reasons.
Celtics vs Lakers Prediction
This line is telling me the Lakers are going to sit key players after playing last night. Potentially down Doncic for another game, the Lakers aren’t an ideal spot if they’re missing LeBron as well. However, while the Celtics have gone on a nice run, let’s not act like they’re world beaters, and they’re not super attractive if down Brown again.
This is still a rivalry game where both teams play hard, and the Lakers have been dominant in the regular season dating back to last year, and they’re 14-7 ATS. The Lakers have been one of the most profitable teams in the sport. I’ll grab the points. Make sure to check the injury report before betting.