The NBA’s most historic rivalry takes place tonight, Thursday Feb 9th, when the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers. 3. The teams split their two meetings last season with each winning on the road. NBA oddsmakers have the Celtics as -3.5 point home favorites over the Lakers with the over/under set at 175.5 points. Be sure to make your Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.
LA (14-11, 3-9 V) arrives in Boston after dropping two of the first three contests on a season-high six-game road trip. Kobe Bryant passed Shaquille O’Neal for fifth place on the NBA’s career scoring list, but he missed nine of 10 shots in the fourth quarter Monday at Philadelphia and scored only four of his 28 points after halftime in a 95-90 loss. Much of the road struggles for the Lakers stem from a defense that is allowing an average of 97.2 points compared to 85.2 at home.
LA might have better luck keeping Boston’s somewhat passive offense in check. The Celtics like to keep opponents from running and are among the league’s top teams in points allowed at 86.5 per game, but they also have one of the lowest-scoring offenses (90.8 ppg). Taking the court at TD Garden also could work toward the Lakers’ advantage. LA has won three straight and five of six in Boston during the regular season. In the lone meeting in Boston last season, Kobe Bryant scored 23 and Pau Gasol finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 92-86 victory Feb. 10. Eleven days earlier at Staples Center, Paul Pierce scored 32 and Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 boards to withstand a 41-point performance from Bryant in a 109-96 victory. That was the Celtics’ third victory in four regular-season games versus the Lakers at Staples Center.
Boston’s (14-10, 10-6 H) Paul Pierce finished with 15 points in Tuesday’s 94-84 victory over Charlotte to overtake Larry Bird for No. 2 on Boston’s all-time scoring list. The Celtics have won five consecutive games and nine of their last 10. They are averaging only 90.8 points, 25th in the NBA, but giving up 86.5 points a game, best in the league. The Celtics haven’t been dominant at home, going a pedestrian 10-6, including losses to Phoenix and Cleveland.
A key for Boston could be keeping Los Angeles from getting extra possessions on rebounds. While the Celtics are one of the league’s worst rebounding teams at 38.8 per game, the Lakers are among the best at 44.8. Gasol has three straight double-doubles, grabbing 44 boards in that span with 12 coming on offense. Eight of Bynum’s 20 rebounds Monday came at the offensive end as he posted a fourth consecutive double-double, averaging 20.8 points and 13.3 boards in that span.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Lakers are 6-14-1 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Celtics are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics
When: Thursday, Feb 9th@8:00 PM EST
Pick: Celtics -3.5
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.
The Bottom Line: I think the Lakers are going to struggle in Boston, especially after losing in Philly and Utah. Want to dominate the books this season with some of the best NBA Picks experts in the business? Then sign up right now and get NBA Picks Free!
