Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

Date/Time: 01-20-2020, 19:30 EDT / 00:30 GMT

Spread: Boston Celtics +1 Total: +222

In this classic rivalry that takes us back in the 80’s era of the NBA, the fourth-best in the East Boston Celtics (27-14), looking to end their current losing streak, are hosting the best in the West Los Angeles Lakers (34-8), who on the other hand have been red-hot having lost only once in their last eleven games.

Boston Celtics have a 27-14 record (23-16-2 against the spread) and are sitting in the 4th place of the East. They have three consecutive losses and in their last game they lost at home against the Suns with a 119-123 score, not beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Kemba Walker with 22.1 ppg, adding 4 rebounds and a team high 4.9 assists per game. He is followed by Jayson Tatum with 21.3 ppg and 7 rebounds per game.

Los Angeles Lakers have a 34-8 record (24-18-1 against the spread) and are sitting on top of the West. They have won 10 of their last 11 games and in their last game they won on the road against the Rockets with a 124-115 score, beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Anthony Davis with 27.1 ppg, adding a team high 9.4 rebounds per game but he is out with an injury. He is followed by LeBron James with 25.5 ppg, 7.7 rebounds and leads the NBA in assists made with 10.9 per game.

In their two meetings last season each team won once on the road (Celtics by 13 points and Lakers by one). Celtics are 16-5 at home, while the Lakers are 18-3 on the road. Lakers are better offensively, scoring 114.2 ppg to Celtics’ 111.7, while both teams have identical defenses, allowing 105.9 ppg each. Lakers have better percentages both in field goals (48.6% to 45.7%) and in 3-pointers (36.1% to 35.2%). Both teams are very close in rebounding (45.8 to 45.6), while Celtics commit fewer turnovers (13.7 to 14.9) and Lakers are better in assists made (26.1 to 23.1). Lakers have proven very tough even without Davis and expect them to get away with the road win today in Boston.     

Lakers vs Celtics Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -1 (-110)