Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics ATS Prediction 02/07/19

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The Boston Celtics (35-19) and the Los Angeles Lakers (27-27) go head-to-head at TD Garden. The Celtics look to extend their five-game winning streak. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 7, 2019, and will air on TNT.

Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics ATS Odds

Neither team was able to cover in their last matchup. The Celtics (10-point favorites) beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-96, while the Lakers (2.5-point favorites) fell to the Indiana Pacers, 136-94. The Boston game finished 10.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5, while the Los Angeles game finished 11 points over the projected point total of 219.

The Celtics knocked down 14 of their 14 free throws (100.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.543 (above their season average of 0.537). Los Angeles, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (20-26; 76.9 percent). Jayson Tatum played well for Boston with 25 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, LeBron James had a good game for Los Angeles, contributing 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

This series was highly contested last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. In the last contest, the Lakers won 108-107. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ biggest strengths. They had 36 free throw attempts, while Boston had just 10. This will be the first game of the year between these two teams.

Vegas is known to set the total high when the Lakers are involved, as 61.1 percent of their games have finished under the total. Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 27-27 straight up (SU) and 23-29-2 against the spread (ATS).

Contrary to Los Angeles, Celtics games tend to finish over the O/U total (57.4 percent). Further, Boston is 35-19 SU and 27-26-1 ATS.

The Lakers’ Brandon Ingram has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 23 points,3.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, Al Horford has averaged 16 points,8.4 rebounds,5.2 assists,2.4 blocks,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Celtics.

From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a balanced matchup. The elite Boston offense ranks third in the NBA in that metric at 0.537, while the elite Los Angeles defense is ranked third in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.507).

Lakers at Celtics Free Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Celtics rank second in assists allowed per game (22.6) while the Lakers rank 15th (24.3).
  • Boston ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (18.6).
  • The Celtics rank second in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while the Lakers rank 21st (5.4).
  • Boston ranks seventh in fast break points allowed per game (12.1) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (14.9).
  • Los Angeles ranks fourth in rebounds per game (47.2) while Boston ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
  • The Celtics rank fourth in steals allowed per game (7.1) while the Lakers rank 26th (8.5).
  • The Celtics rank third in three pointers attempted per game (35.5) while the Lakers rank 20th (30.1).
  • Boston ranks 22nd in second chance points per game (13.1) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (14.2).
  • Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (56.4) while Boston ranks 22nd (44.3).
  • Boston is 13-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 7-0.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Celtics are 35-15 and the Lakers are 26-21.
  • Los Angeles is 13-13 ATS on the road, while Boston is 18-10 ATS at home.
  • In 26 road games, the Lakers have 13 overs and 13 unders.
  • Of the Celtics’ 28 home games, they have 17 overs and 11 unders.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Los Angeles and Boston have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Celtics are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 3-2.
  • The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.2, up from 6.9 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 107.8 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 118.8 points per game (6.2 above their season average).