Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics betting tips and predictions for Friday’s NBA on ESPN game. Los Angeles looks to end a 2-game slide as they take on their historic rivals the Boston Celtics. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has stolen the headlines once again in preparation for tonight’s game. James has been updated to ‘questionable’ by the Lakers medical staff as he continues to recover from a groin injury, rumor has it he will return tonight in Boston. The Lakers desperately need him, they’ve dropped 3 of their last 4 games and look like a mediocre team without their superstar. In the loss against the Bucks they could manage only 102 points and simply had no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo who torched them for 47 points. Russell Westbrook’s 19 points and 15 assists also didn’t help, but when they get LeBron back this Lakers team will be the favorite against almost everyone in the NBA. LA has covered just 6 times in their last 19 games. Against the Celtics they are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games.
Boston Celtics
Although they are sitting at just 7-8 after 15 games played, the Celtics have actually won bettors a lot of money in their past 8 games by covering the spread 6 times. Just like LA, they’ve also received some good news on the injury front prior to this game as their 2nd best player Jaylen Brown has been updated to ‘questionable’ after missing a bunch of games with a hamstring injury. Whether or not he plays tonight remains to be seen, without him the Celtics haven’t looked good and right now they occupy only 9th place in the Eastern Conference. The good news for their fans is that they do play solid basketball against Western Conference teams, they’ve covered the spread 10 times in the last 13 games against such teams. Against the Lakers they’ve won 6 of the last 10 meetings.
If the Lakers get LeBron here they will have a chance, so I would recommend waiting until tip-off to make a decision on who to back. Even if he does come back, he will probably be on a minutes restriction and going up against a Boston side that’s gone 6-1 ATS in their last 7 won’t be easy regardless. Celtics might also get Jaylen Brown back, so I’m going to side with the home team in this one. Back Boston to cover.
Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
Celtics -2.0 Point Spread is available at -110 odds on bet365
The Lakers offense hasn’t been clicking the last 4 games, they are averaging just 100.5 points per game which is not good when you consider the fact they play at the fastest pace in the NBA this season. The over has cashed in 4 of their last 6 outings, but that’s because their defense is allowing a ton of points. Most recently the Chicago Bulls put 121 on them, followed by the Bucks who had 109 on Wednesday. Getting back Lebron doesn’t do much for their defense, so I expect them to struggle on that end once again tonight against the Celtics. Boston averages 106 points per game at home this season, but they could get a 25 point per game scorer back in Brown. The over has been the bet in 6 of the last 7 meetings between these two sides. With Boston’s last 10 of 14 games also finishing over the total, I’d recommend backing the over in this one.
Over 212.5 Total Points is available at -110 odds on bet365
