Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Where: Staples Center — Los Angeles, CA
When: Friday, March 3, 2017 – 10:30 PM ET
Line: Boston Celtics (-7.5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (+7.5); total: 219.5 – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Boston Celtics (39-22)
With doubts crawling back due to losing three of their last four, the Celtics responded by edging out the Cavaliers, 103-99. It was a great way to gain back some confidence, especially on defense, as they held one of the most potent attacks in the league to under 100 points.
Isaiah Thomas, who was coming off a horrid shooting night, redeemed himself by scoring a game-high 31 points. Jae Crowder (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Al Horford (10 rebounds, 10 assists), meanwhile, both had a double-double, with the latter being one point shy of a triple-double.
As they look to sweep the season series with the Lakers, which hasn’t happened in a while, the three above-mentioned players should be able to take the lead, particularly Thomas. His current label as the second-best scorer in the league (29.6 PPG) was on display when they bounced L.A. weeks back, 113-107, as he also had a game-high that night, with 38.
The Celtics’ second scorer could be anyone. Horford, Crowder, the recently-returned Avery Bradley, and Marcus Smart (only in his last 11 games) are all averaging 14 or more points, and they’re all interchanging the role almost every contest.
Thanks to having a solid, team-oriented offense, the Cs are ranking top five in the league in points (107.9 PPG), threes (12.2), and assists (24.9 APG).
Boston is 10-6 in their last 16 games on the road this season. (10-5-1 ATS).
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (19-42)
Julius Randle had one of his best stat lines on Tuesday – 23 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks – but the Lakers added another L to their already huge pile of losses. They fell to the Hornets at home, 109-104, while giving up 16 threes to Kemba Walker and company. It was the most treys they have given up to an East team this season.
The Lake Show are riding a five-game skid, and it looks like it’ll be stretched to six. They only shot 39.4 percent in their previous meeting with the Celtics, and this time, their best scorer, Lou Williams, won’t be around.
Although they still have four guys that put up 13 or more points – D’Angelo Russell (14.8 PPG), Jordan Clarkson (13.8 PPG), Nick Young (13.5 PPG), and Julius Randle (13 PPG) – they are clearly not on par with Boston. All that offense-focused players could only rank them 19th in points (104.2 PPG) and 24th in offensive efficiency, and to top it all off, the team is also at the league’s bottom three in points allowed (110.8 PAPG) and defensive efficiency.
The Lakers are 2-6 in their last eight games at Staples (1-5-2 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Celtics (-7.5) sweep the season series, 116-104.
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