Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Free NBA Pick

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Picks

NBA Betting Trends

The Lakers continued their current seven-game road trip with a stunning 92-83 victory over Brooklyn this past Tuesday night as four-point underdogs. They are now 3-1 in the first four games of this trip but still 8-16 on the road overall. The win pushed Los Angeles’ overall record to 23-26 straight-up and 20-28-1 against the spread. It has gone just 8-15-1 ATS on the road this season and the total has now stayed UNDER in five of its last seven games overall.

The encouraging thing about Tuesday’s win was the Lakers won on the road without Dwight Howard or Metta World Peace in the lineup. Howard and Pau Gasol remain questionable for this game with lingering injuries but Peace was out due to a one-game suspension and should be back in the lineup Thursday night. The new team approach for LA appears to be working with a much more balanced attack, but you get the feeling that it is going to need a big night from Kobe Bryant to win this contest.

Boston is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with an overall record of 24-23 SU but it has been costly to wager on with an 18-26-3 record ATS. The Celtics have gone a perfect 4-0 since Rajon Rondo was lost for the season with a torn ACL including a 106-104 victory over Los Angeles’ other team the Clippers as one-point home underdogs this past Sunday. The total has gone OVER in three of their last five games.

The Celtics are averaging 95.5 points a game this season but have been able to bump that up to 102.6 points over their last five games. This new found offense continues to be led by Paul Pierce, who dumped in 22 points against the Clippers and is averaging a team-high 18.6 points a game.

Prediction

In a matchup between two of the most storied franchises in NBA history, the only thing that either team is thinking about is getting out of this game with a win. Both have finally been able to develop some consistency in what has been a frustrating season, but you have to stick with Boston to keep its current momentum going, especially with the home court advantage.

Boston 98 Los Angeles 92