Los Angeles Lakers (24-23) vs. Boston Celtics (35-11)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 2/1/24 – The NBA’s storied rivalry heats up again as the Los Angeles Lakers square off against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. With the Lakers standing at a precarious 24-23 and the Celtics dominating at 35-11, this matchup at the TD Garden promises high tension and excitement. As we delve into this game, one can’t overlook the importance of pro handicapping advice in discerning the intricate dynamics of such a classic encounter, especially when considering the nuanced aspects of each team’s season performance.
The Lakers, currently around.500 in their season statistics, display an uneven playing style this year. Averaging an impressive 116 points per game on 49.1% field goal shooting accuracy with 11-1 3-point makes per game at 36.5% accuracy is just part of what makes up their success story; yet their Achilles heel may lie in defensive rebounding (34.7 per game) and slightly increased turnover rates (13.9 per game), both which could prove crucial against teams like Boston.
Boston is averaging 120.3 points per game on 47.6% shooting from the field and 37.9% from three. They are also pulling down 47.5 rebounds per game and dishing out 25.7 assists. At home, the Celtics are 22-4 while featuring the league’s 2nd best scoring defense, allowing just 104.7 points against per game. Their balance with six players in double figures and cohesion on both ends could pose problems for the inconsistent Los Angeles Lakers. Boston is holding teams to just 43% shooting and they block 6.5 shots per contest.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 2/1/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Anthony Davis (PF) vs. Jayson Tatum (SF)
Lakers’ Anthony Davis has played in 45 games with 45 starts, averaging 36 minutes per game. He’s tallying 25 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per contest. Davis is shooting over 50% from the field while pulling down 3.2 offensive boards and 9 defensive boards each night. His length causes nightmares for opponents on both ends. However, Davis has battled injuries over the past two seasons.
Celtics’ budding superstar Jayson Tatum has started all 43 games he’s played in, averaging 35.7 minutes. He’s putting up 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting nearly 48% overall and 38% from three. Tatum has excelled as Boston’s primary option thanks to his shot creation and scoring talent. But he’ll have his hands full defensively chasing Davis.
Both Davis and Tatum are two-way studs for their respective franchises. Their individual matchup could swing this game for either side. Tatum is younger and on the ascent as a future MVP candidate, but he has yet to achieve Davis’ accomplishments. Meanwhile, Davis must stay healthy and engaged on both ends to exploit his athletic mismatches. This battle of elite forwards bears monitoring all night long.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are currently TBD. However, considering the Celtics’ superior record and home-court advantage, they might be the favorites in the moneyline. Bettors should keep an eye on the total odds, especially given the Lakers’ recent trend of going over the total in their games.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Lakers have gone 3-2 straight up and against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 contests. However, they have struggled on the road, going just 9-13 ATS in away games this season. The totals have gone OVER in 5 of the Lakers’ previous 5 matchups. Los Angeles’ defense has been porous, allowing nearly 116 PPG over their last 10 games.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
Boston has gone 3-2 straight up but just 2-3 ATS over its last 5 outings. The Celtics remain solid at home with a 22-4 overall record, yet they’ve gone just 4-6 ATS over their last 10 TD Garden contests. The totals have gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s past 5 games. The Celtics own the league’s 2nd-best scoring defense, allowing under 106 PPG this season.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 2/1/24 Betting Picks
In this historic rivalry, the game’s outcome could swing in either direction. However, the Celtics’ overall season performance and home-court advantage give them a slight edge. The Lakers’ road record against the spread and high totals trend indicate potential vulnerabilities that the Celtics could exploit.
For the better pick, considering the trends and team strengths, leaning towards the Celtics, especially on the moneyline, seems prudent. Prop bets on key players like Davis and Tatum, considering their season averages, could also be attractive. The over/under will largely depend on the Lakers’ defense against the Celtics’ high-powered offense.
In conclusion, this game promises to be a high-scoring affair with the Celtics likely having the upper hand. A focus on the Celtics for the moneyline and considering prop bets on the star players, along with a cautious approach to the over/under, forms the crux of this free NBA game analysis.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Celtics 118, Los Angeles Lakers 112.