Sunday’s NBA Best – Celtics at Lakers

Celtics and Lakers in Potential NBA Finals Preview on ABC Sunday!

So far Anthony Davis has proven to be the perfect complement to LeBron James, and the missing link for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship hopes. The Lakers currently hold the top seed in the Western Conference and are the public betting favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June. But the fact remains that LA’s hopes are also riding on the hamstring of LeBron James. Should the King go down, the Lakers title hopes will as well.

The departure of Kyrie Irving from the Boston Celtics has proven to be the best thing that could have happened to this storied 17-time NBA championship franchise. Head coach Brad Stevens has been able to return to his comfort zone of strong defense and team basketball. Of greater significance is that the Celtics have been one of the most profitable teams on the NBA board this season.

The Lakers host the Celtics on Sunday in what could be a preview of the 2020 NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date and Time: Sunday, February 23, 2020, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Betting on NBA odds at FanDuel: LAkers -7, Total 226
Celtics vs. Lakers TV Coverage: ABC

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds Overview

Few teams in any sport are more public than the Lakers, especially as a home chalk. Bargain hunters will certainly shop a capable Boston team.

Boston Celtics Current Form

The Celtics are 38-16 straight up, 32-20-2 vs. the line, with only 24 games going over the total. Boston has failed to cover three of their last four games. Overall NBA metrics have the Celtics ranked 10th for scoring offense and third for points allowed. Boston trails Toronto by a game and a half for first in the Atlantic Division.

Los Angeles Lakers Current Form

The Lakers lead the Pacific Division with a record of 41-12 straight up, 28-24-1 against the spread, and 27-26 over the total. Los Angeles ranks seventh in the NBA for both scoring offense and points allowed. LA has visited the payout window in four of their last six games.

Players to Watch

PF Anthony Davis has made a tremendous impact at Los Angeles with a team best 26.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. This has taken the burden off SF LeBron James who is averaging 25.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists per outing. Speaking of impact players arriving to make a difference, PG Kemba Walker has been the perfect addition to the Celtics lineup. Walker is averaging 21.8 points and 5.0 assists per game. PF Jayson Tatum is enjoying a career best 22.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Davis, James, Walker, and Tatum all played in the NBA All-Star Game.

Celtics and Lakers Against the Pointspread

Boston has come away with the cash in eight of their last 13 away games. Six of their last nine road tilts have stayed under the total. The Celtics have covered 11 of their last 15 as a pup with six of their last eight in that role going under the total.

By contrast the Lakers are once again a public overlay in the role of favorite, where they have covered just seven of their last 17. 'Over' the total has paid in 10 of the Lakers last 14 games as a chalk. Casual money has also held down LA’s value at the Staples Center, where they have covered only five of their last 13 matchups. And just four of the Lakers last 13 home games have stayed under the total.

Boston has covered four of the last six meetings in their head to head series with Los Angeles. The Lakers and Celtics have gone 'over' the total in their last four games. Furthermore, Boston has covered two of their last three road games against the Lake Show. Two of those three tilts also went over the total. In the first meeting between these teams this season on January 20, the Celtics ran LA off the floor in a 139-107 home payout with the game soaring over the total.

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Game Selection

Everything points to the road dog Celtics bringing the superior wagering price to this matchup. The Lakers rarely bring full value to the board as home chalks. Too many squares consistently bet the Lakers into a retail overlay in this situation.

Celtics vs. Lakers Pick: Boston Celtics