Once upon a time the Lakers and Celtics had one of the greatest rivalries in sports. In the 1980s Bird and Magic made TV ratings and championship banners soar. Concurrently Los Angeles and Boston have been two of the best teams in the NBA for the first half of the season. It’s not at all inconceivable that they could meet next June in the NBA Finals. By reason of this and their past history, the Lakers and Celtics are top NBA betting choices almost every game they play. On MLK Day they’ll meet on TNT Prime Time.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
| Date and Time: | Monday, January 20, 2020, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Lakers vs. Celtics TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | -2 (-110) | 223 (-110) | -130 |  |
| Celtics | +2 (-110) | 223 (-110) | +110 | |
| ||||
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Overview
Boston has sports betting record 27-14 straight up, 23-16-2 against the spread, with 19-22 under the total. Overall NBA metrics have them ranked 12th for scoring offense and fourth for points allowed. Boston has covered just three of their last eight games. And four of their last five went over the total.
By contrast, the Lakers are 34-8 straight up, 23-18-1 vs. the odds, and 20-22 under the total. LA ranks sixth for scoring offense and fifth for points allowed. Late on the Lakers have paid in five of their last six games. Six of their last eight have gone over the total.
Key Lakers: SF LeBron James (25.5 PTS, 7.7 REB, 10.9 AST, 49.2 FGPCT, 34.4 3PPCT, 69.2 FTPCT), PF Kyle Kuzma (13.2 PTS, 3.9 REB, 1.9 AST, 32.3 FGPCT, 34.4 3PPCT, 74.0 FTPCT), PF Anthony Davis is out indefinitely with a tailbone issue
Key Celtics: PF Kemba Walker(questionable knee) (22.1 PTS, 4.0 REB, 4.9 AST, 44.2 FGPCT, 38.8 3PPCT, 88.5 FTPCT), PF Jayson Tatum (21.3 PTS, 7.0 REB, 2.8 AST, 43.1 FGPCT, 35.6 3PPCT, 84.3 FTPCT), SG Jaylen Brown (questionable thumb) (20.0 PTS, 6.9 REB, 2.3 AST, 49.2 FG, 39.5 3PPCT, 75.6 FTPCT)
Los Angeles and Boston Against the Spread
The Lakers are:
- 7-4 against the spread in their last 11 away games
- 6-4 over the total on the road
- 6-3 on the board in their last nine games at Boston
- 4-3 over the total in their head to head series at the Celtics
- 11-3 vs. the odds in their last 14 games as a dog
- 5-3 over the total when getting points
The Celtics are:
- 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games at TD Garden
- 5-3 over the total on the parquet court
- 3-6 vs. the line as a favorite
- 3-5 under the total in their last eight games laying points
- 4-9 on the board in their head to head series with the Lakers
- 3-4 under the total in their last seven games against Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Betting Picks
On this occasion history beckons with two of the most storied franchises for NBA betting. As was previously noted the Lakers have strong betting value in all aspects of this situation. Especially as a dog. Further, Boston has flooded gamblers with red ink in this role.
Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Score Prediction: Lakers 100, Celtics 99