The Boston Celtics (31-13) face the Los Angeles Lakers (23-18) Thursday. Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. (TNT / truTV / Max) Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Celtics vs. Lakersodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Split 1-1 last season
The Celtics escaped the Los Angeles Clippers’ new stomping grounds Wednesday with a 117-113 overtime win but failed to cover as 12.5-point favorites with the Over (217) cashing. F Jayson Tatum had 24 points, 7 boards and 8 dimes, while G Jaylen Brown added 25 points and 6 assists. The Celtics are 2-0 on their 4-game road trip with a meeting against the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks on the docket Saturday after this one.
The Lakers are rested after covering as 13.5-point home favorites in a 111-88 victory over the Washington Wizards Tuesday with the Under (228) hitting. C Anthony Davis had 29 points, 16 boards, 5 assists and 4 blocks, and F LeBron James had a triple-double with 21 points, 13 assists and 10 boards.
Celtics at Lakers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:12 p.m. ET.
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- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -235 (bet $235 to win $100) | Lakers +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -6.5 (-102) | Lakers +5.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Celtics at Lakers key injuries
Celtics
(Not yet submitted — below was for Wednesday’s game)
- G Jrue Holiday (shoulder) out
- F/C Al Horford (toe) out
- C Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out
Lakers
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Celtics at Lakers and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 115, Celtics 111
Moneyline
We’re going to run a 9-route and just send it. The Lakers are rested, and they’ll treat this game like a championship game. The Celtics have been to Golden State and down to LA and then head to Dallas, which could be considered a pushover after this. Perfect time for a setback, right? The Lakers actually won in Boston last season.
Take the value on the LAKERS (+190).
Against the spread
Skip the spread and take ANTHONY DAVIS OVER 24.5 POINTS (-135). He had 40 points against the C’s in his only meeting against them last season. He’ll present a matchup problem that a thin Celtics frontline can’t handle.
Over/Under
The Lakers are 5-5 O/U in the last 10, while the Celtics are just 3-7 O/U in their last 10.
However, the Over is 7-3 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings, including 3-1 in the last 4.
I like OVER 220.5 (-105).
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