NBA Lakers vs. Celtics Picks & Predictions for Thursday, February 7, 2013
By ATSSportsline.com
BOSTON, MA (ATS Consultants) – One of the oldest rivalries in the NBA will be renewed tonight when the Lakers visit the Celtics at the TD Garden at 8:00PM ET tonight.
Last game: (3/11/12). LA LAKERS (-6) over Boston, 97-94. The Lakers are trying to win their fourth straight game as they head to their fifth consecutive road game. The Lakers (23-26 SU, 20 28-1 ATS, 23-25-1 O/U) take on their rival Celtics, who have won five straight, despite losing PG Rajon Rondo for the year with a torn ACL. Boston (25-23 SU, 19-26-3 ATS, 23-24-1 O/U) defeated Toronto, 99-95 on Wednesday on the road, getting 5.5.
ODDS: Oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv have installed the Celtics as 2.5-point favorites versus the Lakers while the over/under total is currently sitting at 196 points. Los Angeles enters the game with a 23-26 overall record while Boston is 25-23 overall.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Celtics opened as 1.5-point favorites but the spread is currently sitting at 2.5 after being bet up a full point, while the total has stayed at 196 since opening at that same number.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the current wagers placed on tonight’s game, 60% of NBA public bettors currently favor the Celtics. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided to get the most updated public betting numbers.
NBA FREE PICK: Take Boston. According to latest NBA trends, the Lakers are 16-35-1 ATS in their last 52 games following a ATS win, 9-21 ATS in their last 30 games following a S.U. win, 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games and 7-19 ATS in their last 26 Thursday games. Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 15-7-1 ATS last 23 in series.
The Lakers are road weary after playing their third road game in the last five days. They also have injury issues with Pau Gasol (foot) is expected to be out until late March. He suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right foot during Tuesday's win over Brooklyn. With Gasol out and Dwight Howard (shoulder) ailing and Kobe Bryant urging him to play through pain, the Celts should be able to take advantage of the paint in this game. Boston has survived with their All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo. They've won five straight games without him. Kevin Garnett scored a season-high 27 points in Wednesday's victory over the Toronto Raptors - the only road win during the current streak. All five starters scored in double figures for the fourth straight game for the Celtics. Paul Pierce, who has four double-doubles in his last five games, is averaging 24.7 points in 24 games against the Lakers. The Celtics' bench has been superb lately led by Leandro Barbosa, who had 14 points against Toronto.
2013 NBA FREE PICK: BOSTON CELTICS -2.5
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