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Lakers vs Celtics Predictions & Odds (Jan. 28)

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NBA Basketball

Updated Jan 27, 2023 · 7:14 PM PST

Lakers LeBron James squatting on court.
Jan 24, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks on after he was given a technical foul in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Boston Celtics are 7.5-point favorites over the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA game scheduled for Saturday, January 28
  • Lakers starters LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Lonnie Walker IV are all on the injury list and it’s uncertain who will be playing
  • Boston is 1-2 straight up over the past three games

The Boston Celtics (35-15, 26-24 ATS) are struggling, while the Los Angeles Lakers (23-26, 23-25-1 ATS) are hurting as these two traditional NBA powers get set to clash on the court.

Boston are losers of the last three games. Meanwhile, the Lakers could be without three-fifths of their starting five, including superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Currently, the Celtics are holding a 3-1 overall edge in the last four meetings with the Lakers, as well as a 4-2 advantage through the last six games between the two teams in games played at Boston.

Certainly, the injury situation for the Lakers is playing a role in the betting line on this game. It’s Boston that oddsmakers are setting as the 7.5-point home favorites. However, the Celtics are 0-5 ATS over their past five games.

Lakers vs Celtics Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 (-110) +240 O 237 (-110)
Boston Celtics -7.5 (-110) -305 U 237 (-110)

Odds as of January 27 at Caesars Sportsbook. Claim the Caesars Sportsbook promo code to bet on the NBA.

The Celtics opened up as 7-point favorites in the NBA odds. Currently, the total is set at 237 points. The total has gone under in four of the last five games for both Boston and LA. However, in eight of the past 10 Lakers vs Celtics contests, the over hit.

This game is being broadcast by ABC in the USA and NBA League Pass in Canada. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30pm ET at TD Garden.

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At +360, the Celtics are the chalk in the NBA championship odds. The Lakers are given +110 odds of participating in an NBA play-in game.

Lakers vs Celtics Betting Trends

In spread splits, the public is divided on which team to back. There’s 75% of handle on the Celtics, while 60% of bets are going with the Lakers. Moneyline wagering is solidly behind Boston at 70% of handle and 68% of bets.

The people are liking the over on the total. It’s getting 51% of handle and 65% of bets.

Los Angeles vs Boston Injury Report

The possibility of missing three players from the NBA starting lineups is no doubt causing bettors to shy away from the Lakers. Center Davis (right foot stress injury) is given the best chance to play. He’s listed as probable. Davis has seen action in just one game this month and has missed 20 games this season.

PF James (left ankle) has missed nine games. He’s listed as questionable but expectations are that he’ll be playing. Swingman Lonnie Walker IV (left knee tendinitis) is also categorized as questionable. Reserve guard Austin Reaves (left hamstring) is out.

For Boston, PG Marcus Smart (ankle) is out. PF Danilo Gallinari is done for the season following knee surgery.

Big Shooters On Both Sides

Should James in fact play, it will be putting two of the NBA’s top scorers on the floor in this game. Boston PF Jayson Tatum, a contender in the NBA MVP odds, is third in the league, averaging 31.1 points per game. James (29.9 ppg) is seventh overall.

Boston is 18-6 straight up at home this season. However, the Celtics are 1-4 ATS over their past five home games. Overall, though, they are 7-3 SU in the last 10 home games.

Davis Adds Firepower For LA

When these two teams met Dec. 13 in LA, it was the Celtics winning 122-18 in overtime. Davis was good for 37 points and 12 rebounds in that game, while James contributed 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

PG Russell Westbrook is also heating up for LA. He’s averaging 16.2 points, six rebounds and 6.5 assists over the last 10 games. Pulling down 44.8 rebounds per game, the Lakers rank sixth in the league. LA is 10-14 SU on the road this season.

Lakers vs Celtics Prediction

The Lakers are 3-1 SU and ATS over their past four games. However, they’re 3-6 SU and 4-4-1 ATS when LeBron doesn’t play. On the road LA is 0-5 SU and 0-4-1 ATS without King James.

Boston has equaled a season high with three consecutive losses. The last time the Celtics were losing four in a row was May 7-12, 2021.

Pick: Boston Celtics -7.5 (-110)

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