Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds
Losers in their four previous road dates, the Celtics wrap up a four-game California swing riding a two-game win streak after outclassing the LA Clippers by a 145-108 score on Saturday. The Lakers return home for the holidays after snapping a four-game slide with Saturday’s 129-120 win in Oklahoma City, and have work to do to reverse a 1-3 straight up run over their past four Christmas Day appearances.
The Celtics have emerged as 2.5-point road favourites on the Christmas Day NBA odds. The lakers trail as +120 underdogs on the NBA moneyline, and the total is pegged at 234.5.
Celtics vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
Sunday afternoon’s matchup marks the first Christmas Day meeting between these stories rivals in 15 years. The Lakers claimed a 92-83 win to avenge their loss to Boston in the 2008 NBA Finals in 2008, and enjoy a 3-0 SU head-to-head record against the Celtics in Christmas Day action. However, consistent success has eluded the Lakers since their NBA Cup victory earlier this month. Los Angeles has been lit up for 121.7 points per game while going 2-5 SU since their In-Season Tournament triumph over Indiana, generating a boon for sports bettors taking the OVER, which has paid out six times over that stretch. However, the Lakers have won outright in three of their past four as home underdogs.
A dominant force on home court this season, the Celtics have produced streaky results on the road while compiling an 8-6 SU record, during which they have gone just 4-8-2 against the spread. The club has also produced uneven results in recent road dates with the Lakers, going 3-3 SU over their past six appearances, and a middling 2-2 SU and ATS in four visits as betting chalk. The Celtics have also regularly disappointed when playing on the road on Christmas Day, going just 4-7 SU in 11 contests since 1985.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have found a higher gear while rolling to lopsided victories in their past two outings, averaging 144.5 points to improve to sixth overall in the NBA in team scoring with 119.9 points per game. Jayson Tatum led a Celtics attack that shot 52.1% from the floor in Saturday’s win over the Clippers, dropping 30 points while going 5-for-10 from beyond the arc in his highest-scoring performance since the NBA Cup final. Jaylen Brown has been a model of consistency while averaging 27.8 points and six rebounds over the past four games, and Jrue Holiday has played a key supporting role while tallying seven boards and six assists per game during this road trip. However, it is looking likely that the club will once again be missing Kristaps Porzingis on Sunday afternoon. The big man missed Saturday’s date with the Clippers due to an ankle sprain that leaves him listed as questionable for Sunday.
Los Angeles Lakers
After struggling to keep pace with opposing shooters during their preceding four-game slide, the Lakers attack finally broke through in OKC on Saturday, led by LeBron James. King James racked up a season-high 40 points, and padded his point total by going a perfect 5-for-5 on threes and 9-for-9 from the free throw line. James also benefited from a complete team effort that featured a season-best 37 assists while committing just nine turnovers that enabled them to seize control of the contest after spotting the Thunder an early lead. Anthony Davis played his part, contributing 26 points and 11 boards for his 17th double-double in 18 games. With his early-season injury woes behind him, at least for now, Davis has now averaged 31.9 points per game over his past seven outings, but has scored fewer than 18 points in two of three appearances against the Celtics.
BOS
LAL