In the 1980’s one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sports was in full throttle rage with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers and Celtics were the top two favorites with NBA games betting Odds to win the NBA title during most of the 80’s. These days head coach Brad Stevens has led the Celtics back to glory as a bona fide NBA title contender. The Lakers on the other hand have been lost since the death of owner Jerry Buss in 2013. The languishing Lakers host the Celtics on Tuesday night.
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles California
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
Celtics -5 (-110) 208½ (-110) -200
Lakers +5 (-110) 208½ (-110) +170
Celtics vs. Lakers TV Coverage: TNT
Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have not been a serious contender with the NBA games betting odds since Buss was alive. The have wallowed in a wilderness of misery the past four seasons. The Lakers best win total the past four years as 27 during the 2013-14 campaign. Such a putrid state of affairs was unfathomable just eight years ago when the Lakers won their 16th NBA title. As bad as it has been for the Lakers things have looked better as of late.
The Lakers are 17-29 straight up and 23-23 against the spread. LA is 13-12 against the spread at home. LA has shown good betting value lately with six payouts in their last eight games. The Lakers are coming off a 127-107 home payout over the New York Knicks. LA has gone under the total in five out of their last seven games. The Lakers rank a solid tenth in the NBA for scoring offense. Their weakness is a defense that ranks 27th in the NBA.
Boston
The Boston Celtics are 34-13 straight up and 27-18-2 against the spread. The Celtics are a strong betting value on the road. Boston has gotten the money in 14 out of 21 road games. Boston has been in bad form lately however with just one payout in their last five games. The Celtics have gone under the total in five out of their last seven games. Boston is coming off a bad three game homestand in which they failed to win or over the spread. The Celtics rank just 24th in the NBA for scoring offense. Boston’s strength is a defense that ranks second in the NBA.
Team vs Team
Despite their woes of recent years, the Lakers have been the better online sportsbook value in their series with the Celtics. The Lakers have come away with the money in seven out of their last ten games with the Celtics. Boston and LA have gone under the total in six out of their last eight meetings. The Lakers have covered four out of their last five home games against the Celtics. The Lakers and Celtics have gone under the total in three out of their last four meetings at the Staples Center.
Matchup to Watch
The timing of this matchup is quite a contrast with the NBA games betting odds. The Lakers are playing their best ball of the season. Boston is slumping. Momentum and confidence is on the Lakers side.
Celtics vs. Lakers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
The Lakers are in better form and are the pick.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Los Angeles Lakers +4
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Lakers 107, Celtics 101