Lakers vs Celtics Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Betting (2/1): Long-Time Rivals Collide in Beantown

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An old rivalry is re-ignited when the Los Angeles Lakers (24-25) and Boston Celtics (37-11) go head-to-head at TD Garden in one of four NBA games lined up for Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Gameday ☘️ Celtics host the Lakers ?

Celtics Pregame Live starts at 6:30pm on NBC Sports Boston ? pic.twitter.com/MK7vXmtMYM

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 1, 2024

The Lakers will do their best to avoid a third straight loss tonight after falling 138-122 to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ are coming off a 129-124 victory over the Indiana Pacers that saw the trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White combine for 79 points.

There isn’t any shortage of betting opportunities when these iconic franchises collide, so let’s explore some of them in this Lakers vs Celtics betting preview.

Lakers vs Celtics NBA Betting Tonight (2/1)

Lakers vs Celtics Matchup Information

• Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers (24-25, 7-17 Away) vs. Boston Celtics (37-11, 22-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: TD Garden (Boston, MA)
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Lakers vs. Celtics: TNT

Lakers vs Celtics Odds & Spread

Celtics vs. Lakers odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Feb. 1 at 9:39 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Lakers vs Celtics Spread

• Los Angeles Lakers +11 (-105)
• Boston Celtics -11 (-115)

Celtics vs Lakers Over/Under

• Over 241 Points (-110)
• Under 241 Points (-110)

Lakers vs Celtics Moneyline

• Los Angeles Lakers (+500)
• Boston Celtics (-650)

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Lakers vs Celtics NBA Betting Trends

• The Lakers are 1-5 straight up in their last six games vs. Boston.
• Boston is 18-2 straight up in its last 20 home games.
• The Lakers are 0-6 ATS in their last six games vs. the Atlantic Division.
• Boston is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games vs. the Lakers.
• The total hit the Over in each of the Lakers’ last six road games.
• The total hit the Over in five of Boston’s last six games vs. the Lakers.

Lakers vs Celtics Prediction & Pick (2/1): Will Boston Complete the Sweep?

Tonight marks the second and final Lakers-Celtics clash of the 2023-24 NBA season. The inter-conference rivals clashed on Christmas Day, ending in a 126-115 victory for the Celtics as White and Kristaps Porzingis each recorded double-doubles.

The victory also marked Boston’s fifth in the last six meetings with Los Angeles with the latter being outscored by an average of 5.7 points in those contests. It should also be noted that the Lakers haven’t won at TD Garden since a 96-95 win on Jan. 30, 2021, losing the last two visits 255-239 on aggregate.

It’s hard to see that trend changing with how the Lakers have been performing. Although they’ve been playing around .500 basketball lately, they’ve struggled to keep the ball out of their basket, allowing at least 127 points in each of their last five games.

Will the Lakers finally reverse their fortunes against the Celtics tonight?

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Celtics are one of those teams that’ll make them pay for defensive blunders. Boston averages 120.4 PPG (5th) with 47.8% field-goal (13th) and 38.0% three-point (4th) percentages while boasting the best offensive efficiency (1.176) in the league.

This game being played at TD Garden further gives the C’s an edge. After all, the Celtics have been the best team at home all season, going 22-2 SU while outscoring opponents by a 12.6-point average (1st). The Lakers, meanwhile, are a putrid 7-17 SU with a minus-5.0 scoring margin on the road (22nd).

Additionally, Los Angeles only has a 26.7% winning percentage as the underdog on the road whereas Boston sits at 91.7% success rate as the home favorite.

Regarding the injury situation, Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip) and LeBron James (ankle) will be game-time decisions for the Lakers. Considering how they’re their team’s best players, being without them tonight could be catastrophic.

As for the Celtics, Luke Kornet (hamstring/questionable) is their only injury designation.

The Lakers could be in serious if Anthony Davis and LeBron James don’t suit up tonight.

After easily dismantling the Lakers on Christmas, this game is the Celtics’ to lose. Boston is the clear-cut better time and a legitimate title contender while Los Angeles will be lucky if it makes the playoffs. The Lakers’ recent defensive struggles also make it easier to trust a Celtics team that is not only offensively gifted but deeper with talent from top to bottom.

I’m not really a fan of the 11-point spread in this matchup. Yes, the Celtics are capable of beating teams by 12-plus points, however, just one of their last five wins over the Lakers came by that amount.

Instead, let’s take the Over on the 241-point total as the best bet. After all, the Lakers tend to be involved in high-scoring tilts regardless of who the opponent is. The Over is a perfect 7-0 in their last seven games, averaging 257.9 PPG. Considering how the last three Lakers-Celtics matchups averaged 242.3 PPG, I’m comfortable with backing the Over again.

Lakers vs Celtics Prediction: BOS wins

Best Lakers vs Celtics NBA Bet: o241 Total Points (-110)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this pick over on BetOnline

Best Lakers vs Celtics NBA Prop Bet (2/1)

If you’re in the mood for a Lakers vs. Celtics prop bet, Derrick White hitting over 2.5 three-pointers is the way to go.

The 29-year-old sharpshooter has been money all season, averaging 2.7 threes made on 40.0% shooting. He’s also been consistent when it comes to this prop, nailing a trio of three-pointers in exactly 50% of his games. That includes finishing with the Over in seven of his last nine outings.

Derrick White hits the 3 for 13 1st quarter points ?

Pacers-Celtics | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/3CDQSkZe6w

— NBA (@NBA) January 31, 2024

White now gets to face the Lakers, who surrender the fourth-most threes on the ninth-highest success rate on the road. That’s without mentioning how Los Angeles also gives up the sixth-most three-pointers to shooting guards.

This prop bet is a no-brainer for me.

Best Lakers vs Celtics Prop Bet: Derrick White o2.5 Threes Made (-121)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this pick over on BetOnline

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