It is one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history, and the next chapter will be written Tuesday when the Boston Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Celtics (21-7) are off to the best start in the Eastern Conference despite having an interim coach in Joe Mazzula, who has not had a head coaching gig before. Of course, he took over a team that went to the NBA Finals last season. The Lakers (11-15) had a slow start to the season but are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
The Celtics are favored by three points with an over/under of 235. The Celtics are -155 on the moneyline while the Lakers are +125.
Will Celtics get back on track?
Boston is playing the final leg of a six-game road trip, which started with three straight wins and has seen a pair of losses in California to the Warriors and Clippers.
The Celtics have been held below their league-best scoring average in those two losses. They average 119.3 points per game and are fourth with a 48.9% field goal percentage and second at 39.1% on 3-pointers. They have the best free throw rate, converting 83.3% of free throws.
The defense has regressed over last season but is still above league average. They allow teams to score 112.4 points per game, which ranks 13th, and they hold teams to 46.8% on field goal attempts and 35.1% on 3-pointers, each ranking 14th.
Lakers finding their groove?
The Lakers may be figuring things out under first-year coach Darvin Ham. LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (back) are both probable to play and Russell Westbrook is filling his role off the bench. The trio of stars is finding ways to gel together.
Defensively, the Lakers allow 116.3 points per game, which ranks 26th, but the efficiencies have been better. They rank 11th in holding teams to 46.6% on field goals and seventh on 34.1% on 3-point shots.
Offensively they are 11th in scoring 114.8 points per game and have improved to 13th at a 47.3% conversion rate on field goals. They are still third worst at making 32.2% of 3-pointers though.
Celtics/Lakers Betting Prediction
The Celtics have exceeded lofty expectations this season and are 17-11 against the spread. However, they are 14-13-1 on over/unders. They also are 10-5 straight up on the road.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are 11-15 against the spread and 15-11 on over/unders while 6-6 straight up at home.
The public favors Boston, with 61% of public bets on the Celtics to cover -3 and another 59% of public bets on the under.
History suggests half of that will be true. The Celtics are 6-1 against the spread in the last seven meetings and the over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
Expect a fast-paced game that sees the Celtics covering the three points despite being at the end of a long road trip.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.