In this high caliber duel between two of the three best teams of each conference, the best in the West Los Angeles Lakers (42-12), are hosting the third in the East Boston Celtics (39-16), with both teams having won their last four and two games respectively and looking to extend those winning streaks today.
Date/Time: 02-23-2020, 15:30 EDT / 20:30 GMT
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 Total: +226
Los Angeles Lakers have a 42-12 record (29-24-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the first place of the West. They have won six of their last seven matches and in their last game they won at home against the Grizzlies with a 117-105 score, beating the odds. Anthony Davis leads the team both in scoring with 26.7 ppg and in rebounding with 9.3 per game. LeBron James follows with 25.1 ppg, adding 7.7 rebounds and a league-best 10.7 assists per game.
Boston Celtics have a 39-16 record (33-20-2 against the spread) and are sitting in the third place of the East. They have won 9 of their last 10 matches and in their last game they won on the road against the Timberwolves with a 127-117 score, beating the odds. Jayson Tatum leads the team in scoring with 22.5 ppg, adding 7 rebounds per game. Kemba Walker follows with 21.8 ppg, 4.1 rebounds and a team high 5 assists per game.
In their previous meeting earlier this season the Celtics won at home with a 139-107 score. Lakers are 19-7 at home, while the Celtics are 16-11 on the road. Lakers are better offensively, scoring 114.8 ppg to Celtics’ 113.3, while Celtics are better defensively, allowing 106.4 ppg to Lakers’ 107.3. Lakers have a better field goal percentage (48.8% to 46.3%), while both teams have a similar 3-point percentage (36.3% to 36.2%). Lakers are better both in rebounding (46.3 to 45.9) and in assists made (26.3 to 23.2), while Celtics are better in turnovers committed (13.8 to 15.1). Bookmakers give the Lakers a -6.5 spread and expect them to utilize the home court advantage and beat the odds today.
Celtics vs Lakers Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 (-113)
