Celtics vs. Lakers Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Charlie Grant
The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed on national television the last time they faced the Boston Celtics. LeBron James and Co. look to return the favour when the Celtics visit the Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The C’s enter Sunday’s matchup the winners of 13 of their last 15 games including a 127-117 win in Minnesota on Friday night. The third seed in the Eastern Conference are 10-5 against the spread in their last 15 and 33-20-2 ATS on the campaign.
Boston is averaging 119 points per game this month and the Over is 5-2 in its last seven contests. The Celtics are 16-10-1 against the number on the road this season and 8-4 ATS when catching points away from the TD Garden.
The Celtics are battling the Toronto Raptors for the second position in the East. Sports Interaction still lists Boston (+800) behind the Bucks (-172), Raptors (+600), 76ers (+600) and Heat (+750) to come out of the East.
LA comes into Sunday’s game on the heels of a 12-point home win (as 10.5-point favourites) against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. The Lakers are 4-0 in their last four games and 3-0 ATS in their last three outings.
The team is five games up on the Denver Nuggets for first place in the West. The Lakers have scored against non-conference foes. They’re 8-11 ATS and 13-6 SU against the East in 19 games. They don’t have nearly as much trouble when playing in conference where they’re 29-6 SU and 21-13-1 ATS.
The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two sides and the Celtics are 4-2 against the number in the last six head-to-head matchups.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics could be short handed in when they step on the court at the Staples Center. All-Star point guard Kemba Walker didn’t play Friday’s game against the T-Wolves and is iffy to suit up against the Purple and Gold because of a knee problem.
The Lakers will likely game plan on trying to slow down Jayson Tatum. The former Duke standout is averaging 28.3 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting better than 45 percent from 3-point range on nine attempts per game so far this month.
Los Angeles Lakers
The backcourt has been a question of concern for the Lakers this season, but they appear to have found on veteran who fits in well with the group. Avery Bradley was inserted in the starting lineup just before Christmas and he hasn’t lost the spot since.
The former Celtic is averaging 14.1 points over his last seven games while shooting close to 58 percent from 3-point range