Lakers vs Celtics Picks and Predictions: Lake Show's Ratings Continue to Dive

On Friday, the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that will hopefully bring out all the drama that this rivalry usually gives NBA fans. There are rumblings that LeBron James will return to the lineup from his ankle injury in this one, and that would only make this a more exciting matchup. 

Will Boston deal Los Angeles its third loss in a row tonight? Continue reading our Lakers vs. Celtics picks and predictions for Friday, November 19 to get all the information you need on this one. 

Lakers vs Celtics odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

Depending on where you look, the Celtics might be favored by anything from -1 to -2.5. But keep an eye on LeBron's status, as he can potentially swing the line multiple points. The total is as high as 214.5 and as low as 212.5. Right now there’s mixed action but a slight lean towards the Under. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Lakers vs Celtics predictions

• Celtics -1.0 (-110)
• Under 214.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Celtics First Half -0.5 (-110)

Predictions made on 11/19/2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Lakers vs Celtics game info

• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, Sportsnet

Lakers vs Celtics betting preview

Injuries

Lakers: LeBron James F (Questionable), Austin Reaves G (Out), Kendrick Nunn G (Out), Trevor Ariza F (Out).
Celtics: Jaylen Brown F (Out), Robert Williams III C (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Lakers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as road underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Celtics.

Lakers vs Celtics picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

The status of LeBron is something that will need to be monitored, as the superstar is said to be “50-50” on whether or not he’ll return for this one. For what it’s worth, we’d be rolling with Boston in this matchup no matter what happens on that front. However, it’s possible that you’d end up getting points if LeBron is ultimately announced as a starter in this game. 

Boston has won each of its last two games at home, but the team just went on an unsuccessful three-game road trip in which it went 1-2 in two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and one against the Atlanta Hawks. Now, the Celtics will be looking for a significant boost at home, and the atmosphere is always electric when these two play one another. That is going to factor into this game, as this team flies around on the defensive end when it is locked in. That’s part of the reason Boston has turned things around since starting the year 2-5: it’s focused a ton on its defensive rotations and isn’t giving up anything easy. 

The Celtics’ defense is going to be especially important against this Lakers team, as Los Angeles just hasn’t played well on the offensive end this year. At some point, the group is going to start clicking, but people really underestimated how long that might take. To say that Russell Westbrook is a bad fit would be an understatement, and this partnership is going to continue to try to figure things out at the expense of winning regular-season games. Also, while Anthony Davis is a tremendous player, the Celtics have a nice group of bigs that should be able to handle their own in this one. 

Offensively, somebody will have to play well besides Jayson Tatum, but this is the type of game that could bring the best out of Dennis Schroder. The point guard wanted a long-term extension from this Lakers team but didn’t feel he was getting the money he deserved. With revenge on his mind, there’s nothing better he can do than go out and help his new team win this one. 

Prediction: Celtics -1.0 (-110) 

Over/Under analysis

The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating this season, but they’re third in that category over the last 10 games. This Boston team is really starting to lock in on that end of the floor, and that is becoming the group’s identity under head coach Ime Udoka. That’s a good thing for Under bettors in this game, as the Lakers could really struggle even if LeBron does play in this game. 

With LeBron in the lineup for Los Angeles, the team will have to get reacclimated to having a player of his caliber out there. That could mean a slow start for the Lakers, and it’d also be confusing down the stretch after multiple games with Westbrook trying to do everything in the fourth quarter. And if LeBron doesn’t play, the Lakers will continue to struggle offensively. They were ranked 27th in the league in offensive rating over the last eight games with LeBron out. 

Prediction: Under 214.5 (-110) 

Best bet

If you can lock in the Celtics to win the first half, that’s the best thing you’ll be able to find in this game. Boston should be able to win even LeBron active, but the safest play is to bank on Tatum and Co. to be leading at the half. The Celtics are going to have a ton of energy early on in this one, and the Lakers could take some time to get comfortable if LeBron is back in the lineup. 

Assuming the superstar is back for Los Angeles, you’ll be happy to be out of this one at halftime, if possible. It’s not completely crazy to think that the Lakers will start to roll a bit in the second half, as LeBron could get better and better as he tests his limits on the ankle. If he starts playing like he’s capable of, you don’t want to be sitting there sweating out the ending. 

Pick: Celtics First Half -0.5 (-110)

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