The Boston Celtics (13-11) continue their Western Conference road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers (12-12). Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Staples Center. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics started the season 2-5 but have started playing better basketball and have won three of their last four, and six of their last nine, games. This will be the second and final time in the regular season they play the Lakers. Boston won 130-108 at home in the first meeting Nov. 19.
The Lakers have been remarkably average this season. Excluding a three-game win streak from Oct. 29-Nov. 2, they have not strung together more than two consecutive wins all season. Los Angeles is coming off a 119-115 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Friday.
Celtics at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:53 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Lakers -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics +2.5 (-112) | Lakers -2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Lakers key injuries
Celtics
- G Jaylen Brown (hamstring) questionable
- G Romeo Langford (ankle) probable
Lakers
- F Carmelo Anthony (flu-like symptoms) questionable
- F Trevor Ariza (ankle) out
- F Anthony Davis (thumb) probable
- F LeBron James (abdomen) questionable
Celtics at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 121, Lakers 115
Money line
Take the CELTICS (+110).
The Celtics are simply the hotter team right now having won three of their last four games and going 6-3 in their last nine. Coming off a 145-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday and now facing a Lakers team that is second-to-last in points allowed at 113.4 per game, scoring should not be difficult.
Against the spread
The Celtics are 13-10-1 ATS on the season so far and have covered the spread in three of their last four games. They beat the Lakers by 22 points as one-point favorites in Boston in the first meeting.
The Lakers have performed worse against the spread than any other team in the league. They are 8-16 ATS on the season and 4-11 ATS at home.
As I expect them to win the game outright you can take the CELTICS +2.5 (-112).
Over/Under
The two teams combined for 238 points in their first matchup this season.
The Lakers have the highest Over percentage in the league at 62.5% and have seen 10 of their last 14 games go Over the projected total.
The Celtics have had games with totals of 267 and 262 in the first two stops on their road trip.
Take OVER 220.5 (-110).
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