It feels like the Boston Celtics can’t wait for their current six-game road trip to come to an end. Despite owning the NBA’s best record, the Celtics are just 3-3 in their last six games, which includes consecutive losses to the Warriors on Saturday and then the Clippers last night.
The road trip won’t end easily, as they’ll finish up the second half of a back-to-back when they take on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
AD has recovered from his bout with flu-like symptoms and resumed his torrid run where he has destroyed everything in his path. Can the C’s slow him down and cover as slight road favorites?
I break it all down and bring you my best bet in NBA picks and predictions for the Celtics vs. Lakers.
Celtics vs Lakers best odds
Celtics vs Lakers picks and predictions
It appears that even flu-like symptoms are unable to slow down Anthony Davis when he's playing like this. Davis continued his next-level play for the Lakers after missing a game and a half during the Lakers' latest road trip.
Davis bounced back by going for 31 points and 12 rebounds against the 76ers and followed that up with 34 and 15 against the Pistons last time out. Now, Davis is averaging 33.9 points and 15.2 rebounds over his last 12 full games, and has a chance to have another big game against the Celtics.
The Celtics own the NBA’s best record at 21-7 but are in a tough situation on Tuesday night. Boston is closing out a six-game road trip involving four west-coast games and a matchup last night against the Clippers that the Celtics lost 113-93. It was one of the Celtics' worst losses of the season.
Not only are the C’s playing a back-to-back, but their big men are pretty banged up heading into this matchup as both Robert Williams and Al Horford will be out for this matchup. This means the Celtics will be low on guys to slow down AD.
While the Celtics have played extremely well this season, their one weakness is on the boards. Boston ranks 22nd in both rebounding rate and opponent rebounds per game.
Basically, Davis is going to be a problem.
His points and rebounds total is on the board at 40.5, which may seem high, but it's a number he has eclipsed in each of his last four full games and eight times in his last 11 games overall.
My best bet: Anthony Davis Over 40.5 points + rebounds (-110)
Looking to do some NBA betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) Get a 30% profit boost on any Lakers-Celtics same-game parlay tonight at bet365! Bet Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $150 in free bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2022.
Celtics vs Lakers spread analysis
The Celtics opened this classic NBA matchup as 3.5-point road chalk and that’s where the line remains as of Tuesday afternoon. But, as I said, they are in a tough spot, playing their second game in as many nights, and look a little worn down at the tail end of this road trip.
The Celtics have gotten off to this great start this season thanks to their dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is the betting favorite to win the NBA MVP and has powered a Boston team that leads the NBA in offensive rating and is second in 3-point shooting percentage.
Since the start of December, that offense has lost some of its pop. Boston actually ranks 27th in offensive rating and 22nd in 3-point shooting over six games this month. To be fair, the pace it was going at was going to be very difficult to keep up over the course of a whole season.
Like I said, this matchup against the Lakers will be tough. L.A. has found its footing, mostly thanks to the otherworldly performance from Davis.
The Lakers return home from a tough road trip of their own, but that included losing AD for a game and a half, and they ended the trip with a solid win over the Pistons. Plus, they have been off since Sunday.
The Lakers’ shooting woes have been well documented this season but it hasn’t mattered when they can lean on the Brow and a solid effort on defense. L.A. ranks 15th in defensive rating and seventh in opponent 3-point shooting perccentage.
This comes down to the situation for me. With no Williams and Horford, Davis is just a bad matchup for the Celtics, who are playing their second game in L.A. in two games and are probably just hoping to get this road trip over with. I’m leaning toward taking the points with a rested Lakers squad at home.
Celtics vs Lakers Over/Under analysis
The total hit the board at a high 234 but that hasn’t stopped early bettors from jumping on the Over, driving the number up to 235.5. That said, considering the situation, I think this number is high enough to attack the other side.
We’ve already pointed out that the Celtics' offense is in a little slump. It’s understandable, considering the tough schedule they have run through recently. Their legs looked heavy in last night’s matchup against the Clippers, putting up just 93 points.
That was their lowest point total of the season, and their previous low was 102. They’ve been held below 110 just six times this season, and the Under has cashed in the Celtics' last five games.
While the Celtics' offense has hit a bump in the road, they are still giving a good effort on the other end of the floor where they rank 10th in defensive rating.
Meanwhile, the Lakers rank 21st in both offensive rating and effective field goal percentage. When you consider how amazing AD has been, that just means the rest of the team has been pretty awful.
This number is just too high for this matchup and situation.
Celtics vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Lakers.
Celtics vs Lakers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
