Lakers vs. Celtics: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Lakers vs. Celtics Odds
| Lakers Odds | +8.5 |
| Celtics Odds | -8.5 |
| Over/Under | 234 |
| Date | Sat, Jan. 28 |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
NBA Rivalry Week will conclude on Saturday with a matchup between two storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Entering play, the Lakers (23-26) own the third-worst record in the Western Conference. The Celtics (35-15) own the best record in the entire NBA. In this matchup, oddsmakers are anticipating a comfortable win for Boston, pricing them as 8.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
Davis back in the lineup
After missing more than a month, Anthony Davis returned to action on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs, coming off of the bench for the first time since the 2012 Olympics due to him being limited to only 24 minutes. Following the game, Davis commented, “foot is fine, ankle is fine, body is feeling good,” per Dan Woike.
Davis’ return is a tremendous boon to the Lakers’ playoff hopes, and is likely to improve their defense tremendously. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the 44th percentile in offensive efficiency and 83rd percentile in defensive efficiency with Davis on the floor this season, compared to the 55th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 18th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
James likely to take a backseat offensively
Prior to Davis getting hurt on December 16, LeBron James was averaging 26.5 points on 21.9 field goal attempts per game. In Davis’ absence, James averaged 34.3 points on 23.9 field goal attempts per game. In Davis’ return to the floor earlier this week, James scored 20 points on 20 field goal attempts, even with Davis coming off of the bench on a minutes restriction.
James has always branded himself as a pass-first player, and the return of his co-star creates an opportunity to play more of a facilitator role in the Lakers’ offense. Expect his elite scoring output to begin rapidly regressing in the coming weeks with another high-usage, high-quality offensive threat on the floor with him.
If you are not in a state with legal sports betting, you can target James’ props using our No House Advantage promo code in a DFS game.
Boston Celtics
Smart OUT
On Saturday, Marcus Smart will miss his fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. In three games since he last played on Jan. 21, Boston is winless, with losses against the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks. In the small sample size, the Celtics have been outscored by 7.5 points per 100 possessions, with their biggest issue being their 25th ranked offensive efficiency.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Boston ranks in the 88th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 73rd percentile in defensive efficiency with Smart on the floor this season, compared to the 77th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 82nd percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Who will step up in place of Smart?
Per CourtIQ, Malcolm Brogdon (+3.4%) sees the largest increase in usage of any player on the roster with Smart off of the floor. In each of Brogdon’s last five games played with Smart in street clothes, he has scored in double-figures.
Still, the majority of Boston’s usage in these situations remains in the hands of their two stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Expect both players to be heavily involved in the offense once again this evening.
Lakers vs. Celtics – Picks & Predictions
In the first meeting between these two teams, the final score at the end of regulation was tied 110-110. In the rematch, the Celtics’ offense is severely inhibited with Marcus Smart out of the lineup. The Lakers’ defense has their anchor, Anthony Davis, back on the floor – and he should be able to play closer to 30 minutes on Saturday after multiple days of rest since Wednesday’s victory over the Spurs. Expect a relatively slow pace between these two teams this evening, with the under being a worthwhile risk at the current market number.
PICK: Under 234 (-110, FanDuel)
Image Credit: Imagn