Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics – In a classic East vs. West showdown, the Los Angeles Lakers (24-23) will take on the Boston Celtics (35-11) in a much-anticipated NBA clash. As the season progresses, both teams are showing their mettle and aiming for playoff positions. This matchup is particularly intriguing for Canadian betting websites, where fans are keenly analyzing the odds and player performances to place their bets.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
Date & Time: Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Location: TD Garden
TV: TNT
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Lakers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Celtics | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Los Angeles Lakers Analysis
The Lakers enter this matchup with a 47-game sample size of stats to analyze. Offensively, they are scoring 116 points per game on decent 49.1% shooting. Three-point shooting has been a weakness though, hitting just 36.5% of their 30 three-point attempts per contest. Interior play has been a strength, with Anthony Davis controlling the paint.
Looking closer at the numbers, LA is averaging 43 made field goals on 87 attempts. Their free throw shooting of 77.8% and offensive rebounding of 8 boards per game are also positives. Assists are decent at 28 per game, but turnovers remain high at nearly 14 per contest.
Defensively is where the Lakers struggle, allowing too many easy buckets. They are giving up 43 rebounds and 25 assists to opponents. Interior defense is a strength with Davis and the 5.5 blocks, but three-point and perimeter defense ranks bottom third in the NBA. Steals are average but team fouls are high.
Boston Celtics Analysis
Boston enters Thursday’s matchup with the NBA’s best record at 35-11. Offensively they excel in multiple areas, averaging 120 points on 47.6% shooting – ranked 8th in the league. Even more impressive is their three-point shooting of 37.9% on nearly 43 attempts per game. They also value the ball with only 12 turnovers per contest.
Taking a deeper look, Boston is scoring their 120 points on 43 made field goals out of 90 attempts. Three-point shooting and free throw shooting are major strengths. They also crash the offensive boards well and distribute the ball to find open looks as evidenced by 11 rebounds and nearly 26 assists per outing.
Defensively the Celtics are elite, holding teams to 105 points per game. They exhibit strong perimeter defense and interior paint protection as shown by 6.5 blocks and 1.5 more rebounds than opponents. Forcing mistakes is also key, with Boston compiling 6.4 steals and 4 more turnovers per game than their counterparts. Team fouls are average.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Against the Spread
The Lakers enter with a 21-25 ATS record overall. But they have covered the spread in 3 of their last 5 matchups. On the road, LA is just 9-13 ATS while seeing totals go OVER in 10 of their 26 away contests. Most recently, totals for Lakers games have gone OVER 5 times in the last 5 outings. Taking a deeper dive, the Lakers are averaging 116 points per game this season. Their recent 5-game trend shows this offense heating up, driving those recent OVER totals. Defensively LA allows 114 points per game.
As for the Celtics, they have dominated against the spread with a superb 31-15 ATS record. However, Boston has failed to cover in 3 of its last 5 games. At home, the Celtics are 15-10 ATS this season. TD Garden has also seen 11 OVER totals in Boston’s 22 home dates. Most recently, just 1 of the Celtics’ last 5 contests have gone OVER. The Celtics put up 120 points per outing for the year, but have slowed down of late, keeping their last 5 games predominantly UNDER. Their defense remains steadfast, allowing just 105 points against per contest. Both teams play at an above average pace.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Free Pick
Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Boston Celtics. Given the Celtics’ stellar 35-11 record and the game being in Boston, the Celtics deserve favoritism.
Spread: Boston Celtics. Tatum and the Celtics’ dangerous offense should exploit the Lakers’ defensive issues.
Total: Over. Given both teams’ propensity for high-scoring games and the Lakers’ recent trend of hitting the OVER, expecting a high-scoring affair seems reasonable.
Predicted Score: Boston Celtics 118, Los Angeles Lakers 110
In conclusion, while the Lakers bring star power and offensive threats, the Celtics’ balanced attack and defensive solidity make them the safer bet. For those seeking expert NBA picks, focusing on the Celtics, especially on their home court, seems to be a wise choice. With both teams eager to assert their dominance, this game promises to be an exciting and high-scoring affair.
