Los Angeles Lakers (23-18) vs Boston Celtics (31-13)
Game Info: Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10:00 pm (crypto.com Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Los Angeles Lakers +5 — Over/Under: 221
The Boston Celtics and LA Lakers meet Thursday in NBA action at the crypto.com Arena. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs LA Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs LA Lakers Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Warriors and Clippers, and play the Mavs, Rockets, and Bulls next. The Boston Celtics are averaging 117.7 points on 45.9 percent shooting and allowing 108.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.5 points and 9.3 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.1 points and 6 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick White is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 79.4 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.3 rebounds per game.
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers beat the Wizards, lost to the Clippers, and they play the Warriors, Hornets, and 76ers next. The LA Lakers are averaging 111.3 points on 47.4 percent shooting and allowing 113.9 points on 48 percent shooting. Anthony Davis is averaging 25.6 points and 11.8 rebounds, while LeBron James is averaging 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds. Austin Reaves is the third double-digit scorer and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 5.2 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.8 rebounds per game.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last nine night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Celtics have lost four of their last six games as favorites following a road win.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 15 games as favorites following a win.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in six of their last eight games as underdogs.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 11 games as road favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Lakers have lost eight of their last nine games at Crypto.com Arena against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs following a win.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 3rd in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (61.0%).
- The Lakers rank 28th in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (31.7%).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (49.1).
- The Celtics rank T1st in the league for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (18.0).
Boston Celtics vs LA Lakers Injury Report
The LA Lakers will be without Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Anthony Davis and LeBron James are listed as probable.
Drew Peterson, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis are questionable for the Celtics after not playing against the Clippers.
Boston Celtics vs LA Lakers Prediction
The LA Lakers have the rest advantage with the Celtics playing last night, and they’re expected to have LeBron and AD tonight. The Celtics also have some key guys on their injury report, which isn’t ideal at the end of a back-to-back. Check the injury report before betting. A rivalry game and the Lakers did beat the Celtics last February on the road as a 14-point underdog. We know the Lakers and the crowd will be into it. The underdog has covered five of the last 10 games between the Celtics and Lakers. I’ll take a stab with the Lakers and the free points at home.