The Los Angeles Lakers head to Boston to face the Celtics on Thursday night at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. Can the Celtics cover the 11-point spread as home favorites? Keep reading for our Lakers vs. Celtics betting prediction.
The Los Angeles Lakers are 24-25 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 22-28 ATS this season.
The Boston Celtics are 37-11 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 23-23-2 ATS this season.
Lakers vs. Celtics Matchup & Betting Odds
503 Los Angeles Lakers (+11) at 504 Boston Celtics (-11); o/u 240.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, February 1, 2024
TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: TNT
Lakers vs. Celtics Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 60% of public bettors are currently backing the Celtics when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Los Angeles Lakers Daily Fantasy Spin
Lakers superstar forwards Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip) and LeBron James (ankle) are both officially listed as questionable to play against the Celtics on Thursday night. Davis and James are tied for the team lead in scoring this season with 24.9 points per game.
Los Angeles forward Cam Reddish (ankle) and point guard Gabe Vincent (knee) will both sit out Thursday’s road clash with Boston. Vincent is recovering from knee surgery while Reddish has a right ankle sprain that will likely keep him out for two weeks. Reddish is averaging 6.7 points per game in 26 starts for the Lakers this season.
Boston Celtics Daily Fantasy Spin
Celtics backup center Luke Kornet is questionable to play against the Lakers on Thursday night. The big man out of Vanderbilt is dealing with left hamstring soreness. Kornet is averaging 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 15.1 minutes per contest this season.
Boston center Al Horford is probable to play Thursday after missing the team’s last game with a left neck sprain. Horford’s availability could end up mattering if Kornet is out due to the Lakers’ sizable frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura.
Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 13-11 ATS after a loss this season.
Los Angeles is 18-15 ATS when playing on 1 day of rest this season.
Boston is 17-18-1 ATS after a win this season.
Boston is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Prediction:
The injury status of LeBron James and Anthony Davis could prove pivotal in this contest. Davis was upgraded to questionable on Wednesday night and James led the team with 36 minutes played on the road against Atlanta on Tuesday night. It seems like both players have a good chance to play, but their injury status is worth checking all the up to tip-off.
Boston is suffering the same fate as many great teams over the years: they often don’t win by enough points to cover. The Celtics are 5-2 straight up in their last 7 games but only 2-5 ATS in that span. What’s more, Boston is only 9-10-1 ATS when playing an opponent on equal rest this season and 13-15 ATS when playing on 1 day of rest this year. And finally, the Celtics haven’t been great against the number when facing Western Conference foes this season. Boston is 8-9 ATS in non-conference games this year. In a contrarian play, I’m taking the Lakers and the points on the road on Thursday night.
