The NBA’s most storied rivalry is renewed on Thursday night as the Boston Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston is a 5-point favourite on the NBA odds but also playing the second of a back-to-back.
Celtics vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
It used to be that when teams played a back-to-back in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers that they wouldn’t even have to change locker rooms because both those L.A. teams played at Crypto.com Arena. However, the Clippers moved into their new building this season so the Celtics will have to make a short jaunt across town.
The Celtics and Lakers are of course the two most successful franchises in history with Boston holding a record 18 NBA titles and Los Angeles second with 17. The defending champion C’s are favoured to get back to the NBA Finals this June, but the Lakers are not close to good enough to win the West barring some sort of major trade that really doesn’t seem possible with the assets the team has.
A total of five players from these two clubs represented Team USA’s gold-medal winning team in the Olympics: Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, and LA’s LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Thursday marks the first meeting of the season with the Lakers in Boston on March 8. They split last season, each winning fairly easily on the road.
Boston is 6-4 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings, with the over-under 7-3.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics rested three key players on Wednesday night at the LA Clippers in Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford and was stretched to overtime but won 117-113, and that trio surely will be playing tonight. We could see one of the club’s All-Stars, Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, get this one off simply as Tatum played 43 minutes (24 points) and Brown (39). Tatum has scored at least 15 points in 80 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Maybe starting guard Derrick White is also a consideration to rest as he played 42 minutes. I think if this were a game in, say, Sacramento then the Celtics would rest a guy or two but maybe not simply because it’s the Lakers and nationally televised. Boston’s magic number is 95 this season as it’s 7-0 when holding teams to less than 95 points. The seven such games rank fourth in the NBA. Boston is 2-5 ATS in its past seven.
Los Angeles Lakers
Every year around this time, the Lakers (and formerly the Clippers) have to vacate their arena for about two weeks because of the Grammy Awards being held there, and this is the Lakers’ final home game until Feb. 6 due to the upcoming Grammys. Teams always want to enter a long trip on a high note. Since having two games postponed for the California wildfires, the Lakers have won three of four after routing visiting Washington, 111-88, on Tuesday. LeBron James, a huge Ohio State fan who was at Monday’s national title game win for the Buckeyes over Notre Dame in Atlanta, had a triple-double of 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. It was LeBron’s 121st career triple-double and ninth of the season. James also got his 2,308th career steal in the second quarter, passing Scottie Pippen for seventh place in NBA history and could pass Maurice Cheeks for sixth tonight. He’s also four made 3-pointers away from becoming the seventh player to make 2,500 career. Earlier this week, James passed Wilt Chamberlain into third place on NBA’s all-time list for 2-pointers made. Anthony Davis was in some question but had 29 points and 16 rebounds. Even Bronny James played a little. The Lakers are 5-1 SU in their past six at home.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 23 Jan 2:54am | - | - | O +221.5 -115 |
| Closing 24 Jan 5:03am | - | - | O +202.5 -118 |
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
27.26 |
| Assists |
5.84 |
| Rebounds |
8.76 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.59 |
| Points |
26.08 |
| Assists |
8.53 |
| Rebounds |
11.88 |
| FG% |
71.4 |
| Steals |
1.85 |
| Blocks |
2.14 |
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
27.26 |
| Assists |
5.84 |
| Rebounds |
8.76 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.59 |
| Points |
26.08 |
| Assists |
8.53 |
| Rebounds |
11.88 |
| FG% |
71.4 |
| Steals |
1.85 |
| Blocks |
2.14 |
Injuries
Al Horford (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Drew Peterson (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Payton Pritchard (PG)
Derrick White (PG)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Trey Jemison III (C)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Jaxson Hayes (C)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Horford (C) | Ques Fri | Toe - 13 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Heat on Friday. |
|||||
| Derrick White (PG) | Ques Fri | Knee - 13 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
|
White is battling off a knee injury, it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Heat on Friday. |
|||||
| Drew Peterson (SF) | Ques Wed | Thigh - 10 / 03 / 25 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Peterson is hampered by a thigh injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Thunder on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Ques Wed | Toe - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Horford is hampered by a left big toe sprain, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Thunder on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Derrick White (PG) | Ques Sat | Face - 07 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
White exited the last contest due to facial injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Sam Hauser (SF) | Out Sat | Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Hauser is nursing with right ankle sprain, and he is not expected to suit up against the Lakers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Out Sat | Toe - 06 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Horford is hobbled by left big toe sprain, and it is not anticipated that he will play against the Lakers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Payton Pritchard (PG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 04 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Pritchard is managing a hip injury, but he will participate against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Derrick White (PG) | Prob Wed | Back - 04 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 2-1 | + - |
|
White is managing a back injury, but he is expected to participate against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 28 / 02 / 25 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Porzingis is managing an illness, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus Suns. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith is hamepred with left ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Suns on Sunday. |
|||||
| Trey Jemison III (C) | Ques Sun | Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Jemison is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Suns on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Ques Sun | Calf - 14 / 03 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is nursing a left calf injury, and it remain to seen if he will face Suns on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with right ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Finney-Smith is managing left ankle soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Bucks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Mon | Back - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with back soreness, but he is expected to dress against the Nets on Monday. |
|||||
| Jaxson Hayes (C) | Ques Sun | Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hayes is fighting off a right knee contusion, and it is uncertain if he will face Suns on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Sat | Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is dealing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Celtics on Saturday. |
|||||
| Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Doncic is battling with his right knee injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Knicks on Thursday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Jan 2:54am - - O +221.5 -115 Closing 24 Jan 5:03am - - O +202.5 -118 -
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 27.26
Assists 5.84
Rebounds 8.76
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.59
Points 26.08
Assists 8.53
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 71.4
Steals 1.85
Blocks 2.14
-
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 27.26
Assists 5.84
Rebounds 8.76
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.59
Points 26.08
Assists 8.53
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 71.4
Steals 1.85
Blocks 2.14
-
Injuries
Al Horford (C)
Ques Fri Toe - 13 / 03 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Ques Fri Knee - 13 / 03 / 25Drew Peterson (SF)
Ques Wed Thigh - 10 / 03 / 25Al Horford (C)
Ques Wed Toe - 09 / 03 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Ques Sat Face - 07 / 03 / 25Sam Hauser (SF)
Out Sat Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25Al Horford (C)
Out Sat Toe - 06 / 03 / 25Payton Pritchard (PG)
Prob Wed Hip - 04 / 03 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Prob Wed Back - 04 / 03 / 25Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 02 / 25Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 14 / 03 / 25Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Ques Sun Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25Trey Jemison III (C)
Ques Sun Illness - 14 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Ques Sun Calf - 14 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Mon Back - 09 / 03 / 25Jaxson Hayes (C)
Ques Sun Knee - 07 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 03 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 03 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Al Horford (C) Ques Fri Toe - 13 / 03 / 25 1-1 0-2 + - Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Heat on Friday.
Derrick White (PG) Ques Fri Knee - 13 / 03 / 25 1-1 0-2 + - White is battling off a knee injury, it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Heat on Friday.
Drew Peterson (SF) Ques Wed Thigh - 10 / 03 / 25 0-0 0-0 + - Peterson is hampered by a thigh injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Thunder on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C) Ques Wed Toe - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Horford is hampered by a left big toe sprain, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Thunder on Wednesday.
Derrick White (PG) Ques Sat Face - 07 / 03 / 25 2-0 2-0 + - White exited the last contest due to facial injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers on Saturday.
Sam Hauser (SF) Out Sat Ankle - 06 / 03 / 25 2-0 2-0 + - Hauser is nursing with right ankle sprain, and he is not expected to suit up against the Lakers on Saturday.
Al Horford (C) Out Sat Toe - 06 / 03 / 25 2-0 2-0 + - Horford is hobbled by left big toe sprain, and it is not anticipated that he will play against the Lakers on Saturday.
Payton Pritchard (PG) Prob Wed Hip - 04 / 03 / 25 3-0 2-1 + - Pritchard is managing a hip injury, but he will participate against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Derrick White (PG) Prob Wed Back - 04 / 03 / 25 3-0 2-1 + - White is managing a back injury, but he is expected to participate against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 28 / 02 / 25 3-2 3-2 + - Porzingis is managing an illness, and he will miss an extended period.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Vincent is battling a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus Suns.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Ques Sun Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Finney-Smith is hamepred with left ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Suns on Sunday.
Trey Jemison III (C) Ques Sun Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Jemison is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Suns on Sunday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Ques Sun Calf - 14 / 03 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Doncic is nursing a left calf injury, and it remain to seen if he will face Suns on Sunday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 03 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Doncic is dealing with right ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Thursday.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Ques Thurs Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Finney-Smith is managing left ankle soreness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Bucks on Thursday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Mon Back - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Doncic is dealing with back soreness, but he is expected to dress against the Nets on Monday.
Jaxson Hayes (C) Ques Sun Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Hayes is fighting off a right knee contusion, and it is uncertain if he will face Suns on Sunday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Doncic is dealing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Celtics on Saturday.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Doncic is battling with his right knee injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Knicks on Thursday.