L.A. Lakers at Boston Celtics Betting Preview

Opening Line: Lakers -1 / Celtics +1 O/U 194

Time: 3:30 PM EST Sunday January 31, 2010 on ABC

Tonight in one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports the Boston Celtics host the L.A. Lakers. Even though the Celtics recently got Kevin Garnett back they are still struggling, as they have lost 2 in a row, are only 4-6 in their last 10 games, and now only lead the Toronto Raptors by 5.5 games in the Atlantic Division. On the other hand the Lakers are playing well winning their last 3 games, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, and they currently have a comfortable 9.5 game lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division.

This season the Celtics are 13-7 at home and 18-26 ATS and the Lakers are 13-8 at home and 22-25 ATS.

In their last games the Celtics lost to the Atlanta Hawks 100-91 on Friday night while the Lakers won on Friday night beating the Philadelphia 76ers 99-91.

Since their Christmas day win over the Orlando Magic the Celtics have lost 10 of their last 16 games.

Even though this game is in Boston the Celtics only have a slightly better record (13-7) at home as they do away (16-8).

The Lakers have struggled against the elite teams in the Eastern Conference this season, as they have lost their last games against the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.

This game features the Lakers' offense, which ranks 4th in the league averaging 103.9 ppg, against the Celtics' defense, which ranks 2nd in the league in points allowed only giving up an average of 93.9 ppg.

Boston only has a rebounding differential of -1.0 rpg, while the Lakers are at +2.0 rpg, so KG (7.3 rpg) and Kendrick Perkins (8.3 rpg) have to play well on the glass. These 2 can't allow Lakers' C Andrew Bynum (15.5 ppg 8.3 rpg) and Pau Gasol (17.7 ppg 11 rpg) get easy buckets in the paint or dominate the glass.

Kobe Bryant (28.2 ppg) will get his points, but he will need Gasol, Bynum, Ron Artest (11.2 ppg), and Lamar Odom (9.7 ppg) to help him out on offense against a tough Celtics' defense.

The Celtics have to have some good scoring games from the Big 3 of KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen and that will be easier if 1st time All Star Rajon Rondo (13.9 ppg 9.6 assists per game) can score some buckets and penetrate and dish out.

L.A. is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games against teams with a winning home record, and have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 road games. Boston is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games, 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games, and has an Under record of 5-1 in Celtics last 6 home games against teams with a winning road record.


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