Lakers vs. Celtics Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Andrew Rogers
The latest edition of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry takes on extra meaning this time around as LeBron James leads Los Angeles into TD Garden on Thursday night. With the spectre of the trade deadline looming over just about every team in the league, it’s hard to tell what these teams will look like by the time they tip off. What we do know is that the Lakers have been the superior cover option in recent meetings between the storied franchises.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Boston is a comfortable favourite for this one despite having gone just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 encounters with the Lakers. And the Celtics’ struggles have extended to the entire Pacific, as they’ve gone four games without a cover against that division. But Boston has been one of the best home cover options in the league (37-17 ATS in the last 54) and will look to capitalize on a Lakers side that is just 4-16-1 ATS in its past 21 vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
Bettors will undoubtedly see the under as an attractive proposition in this one, at least given the Lakers’ recent trends. They’re 18-6 to the under in their past 24 games after failing to cover last time out, and are 32-15 in favour of the under in their previous 47 games overall. Boston has converted 19 unders in its previous 27 games against the Pacific Division, and the teams are 3-8-1 O/U in their previous 12 meetings at TD Garden.
Los Angeles Lakers
It seems increasingly unlikely that the Lakers will land Anthony Davis ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline – a development that, ironically, might actually help the Celtics end up with him instead. Los Angeles did make a minor move earlier this week, acquiring sharp-shooting guard Reggie Bullock from the Detroit Pistons – and they almost certainly aren’t done as they look to shore up a team that can make a run at a playoff spot in LeBron’s first year in L.A.
Boston Celtics
While the Celtics have their eye on adding Davis after the season, that doesn’t preclude them from making moves Thursday designed on improving their championship odds this year. The Celtics enter Thursday at +260 to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals – second only to the Toronto Raptors – and +1,200 to win the championship. Boston is just 1-4 ATS in its past five games as a favourite of between seven and 10 points.
