Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
Thursday, 2/9/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Boston -3
Current Betting Line: Boston -3.5
Opening Total: 176.5
Current Total: 175
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Los Angeles continues its six-game road trip Thursday night in visiting the Boston Celtics inside the TD Garden. The Lakers are coming off a disappointing 95-90 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers as 4.5-point road underdogs. “I don’t think we need to change much,” commented Lakers forward Metta World Peace. “We have the guys to finish the games.” The franchise has won three straight and five of six in Boston during regular-season meetings. Los Angeles is 3-7 ATS as an underdog this year and the “under” is 6-4 in that situation.
The Lakers are 3-9 overall away from the Staples Center, including an 0-4 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Los Angeles is still being led offensively by star guard Kobe Bryant, who leads the league in averaging 29.3 points per game, as he scored a game-high 28 points in the latest loss against the 76ers. Center Andrew Bynum continues to show that he’s worthy of his recent All-Star selection, averaging 20.8 points and 13.3 rebounds over the past four games.
Boston is playing its best basketball of the season in winning five games in a row, while going “over” the total in the last two contests. The Celtics are coming off a 94-84 win over the Charlotte Bobcats as 14-point home favorites, as the squad has alternated covering the spread over the five-game streak. Forward Paul Pierce moved into the No. 2 spot all-time in terms of scoring in franchise history, while averaging 22.6 points and 7.4 assists over his last 10 games. Boston is 7-9 ATS at home this year and the “under” is 12-4 in those contests.
The Celtics have four starters averaging in double figures, coming in with a 10-6 home record, which includes a 1-3 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Boston will need to crash the boards in order to pick up a win tonight, ranking among one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, facing a Lakers’ squad that grabs 44.8 board a contest. Point guard Rajon Rondo is the biggest mismatch to watch against an aging Derek Fisher, averaging 13.6 points and 9.8 assists per game.
Bettors will likely back the Celtics due to their 4-1-1 ATS mark as a home favorite, while the Lakers are 1-6 ATS versus winning home teams.
Don’t miss out on a winning season and let the NBA handicappers at Maddux Sports line your pockets with cash. Long term packages are available now!
