Lakers vs Celtics Betting Preview: Not Quite the Classic Rivalry
Can the Lakers Beat the Wide NBA Betting Odds?
Celtics Favored by Double Figures Against Ailing Lakers
The 374th meeting between these iconic rivals could be anything but competitive. Our Lakers vs Celtics betting preview sees Boston favored by 11.5 points with a total of 242 points. This is wide even when you consider Los Angeles potentially missing star forward Anthony Davis. But the Lakers have been bad. Boston is 22-2 at home and is 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 meetings against L.A.
Lakers vs Celtics 
Records: Los Angeles Lakers (25-25) vs Boston Celtics (37-11)
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MT
Day/Time: Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Plenty of Scoring To Be Had in This “Rivalry”?
The Lakers and Celtics have been struggling to win or cover, respectively. But one thing seems certain here; we’re in for a high-scoring game. The average total between these rivals has been nearly 231 points in their last 10 meetings. That’s why the total has gone ‘over’ in four of these teams’ last five meetings in Boston.
The Celtics are scoring over 119 points on 49.4% shooting in this 10-game span. And it will be tough to stop this team that is scoring 121.5 points at home this season even if Davis plays. The Lakers are just 7-17 on the road because of subpar defense: a 119.9 rating, which ranks 26th among visitors.
Los Angeles has given up 124+ points in 11 of its last 16 road games. It lost all but one of these games with that lone victory being in double overtime against Golden State. Fans have clamored to get head coach Darvin Ham axed given how bad the team is playing on this end. And it’s tough to take the Lakers as an NBA pick even with the wide betting spread.
Boston can drop 120+ points and the total will go under if it neutralizes the Lakers. Los Angeles’s offensive rating is 119.1 in its last eight games, which is top 10 in the NBA. But Boston is giving up just 108.2 points in its last nine games and the totals have gone under in seven of these.
The Lakers have also been held to under 110 points in three of its last four visits to Boston. Thus, the total could go down some more as our Lakers vs Celtics betting preview expects.
Bet the Lakers and Consider the Big Picture
It is hard to back a team with such a lofty spread. Boston is 7-5 ATS as a favorite of 11 or more points. But the Lakers have not lost by more than that in seven of its last eight games against Boston. This line may just be a bit too over-reactive given the franchise’s recent NBA championship history.
“I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play,” Ham said during the press conference following the team’s loss to the Grizzlies three weeks ago. “It’s ludicrous. This is a marathon.”
Davis may sit out as he aggravated an injury. The Lakers are 1-3 when he is absent this season. LeBron James, the 39-year-old leader, will need to carry the offense yet again. He averages 28.8 points against Boston in his career though he was held to just 16 points on Christmas Day. Los Angeles is 8-4 when the “King” scores over 28 points this season.
It’s hard to see James having two off games against the same opponent. He may be 39 but he’s still putting up All-Star stats and is a big reason why the Lakers’ odds to win the NBA championship are not longer than they are.
Given the 11.5 points, we’ll take the underdogs in this Lakers vs Celtics betting preview. This team is going through a mid-season slump but it is nothing we have not seen. It has the talent to step up and meet the Celtics, who are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.
