The Los Angeles Lakers (17-29) will try to continue a five-game home winning streak when they clash with the Boston Celtics (34-13) at Staples Center. The game can be seen on TNT at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Boston is a 4-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 208 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction
The last time the Celtics played, they were beaten by the Orlando Magic, 103-95. Orlando’s 9.2 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Boston, who had a rate of 14.1. The Magic’s mark was better than their season average of 13.0. Kyrie Irving was the game’s leading scorer with 40 points on 14-for-23 shooting.
The Lakers had no trouble getting past the New York Knicks in their last game, 127-107. The Lakers had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 5.6 (better than their season average of 14.0), while the Knicks had a free throw rate of 0.086 (below their season average of 0.187). Jordan Clarkson was the top scorer from either team with 29 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
The inefficient offense of Los Angeles (29th in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 102.2) will square off against the top-notch defense of Boston (first in the league with a defensive efficiency of 100.3). The Celtics should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Boston holds records of 34-13 straight up (SU) and 27-18-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Celtics’ 47 games, 25 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 17-29 SU and 23-23 ATS. Contrary to Boston, Lakers games have gone over the O/U total 52.2 percent of the time.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Aron Baynes scored a game-high 21 points in the first matchup, in which the Celtics beat the Lakers 107-96, covering as 6.5-point favorites. He also had eight rebounds. The game finished with a total of 203 points, which was 12 points below the projected point total of 215 points. The Celtics had a much better turnover percentage (10.4 vs. 18.1) and had a better free throw rate (0.245 vs. 0.200).
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 14-7 ATS with 12 unders and 9 overs.
Los Angeles is 13-12 ATS at home with 14 overs and 11 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Los Angeles is 8-3 and Boston is 24-2.
When reaching the century mark, the Lakers are 14-16 and the Celtics are 24-5.
Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (53.3) while Boston ranks 29th (39.4).
The Celtics rank seventh in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while the Lakers rank last (5.7).
Boston ranks sixth in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (14.2).
The Celtics rank eighth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.4) while the Lakers rank 28th (19.6).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.1) while Boston ranks 21st (9.7).
The Lakers rank third in rebounds per game (46.2) while the Celtics rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (44.1).
Boston ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (8.2).
The Celtics rank second in assists allowed per game (20.0) while the Lakers rank 17th (23.0).
Boston ranks sixth in three pointers attempted per game (31.4) while Los Angeles ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (29.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 4.5 points.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 107.4 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
