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Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics January 23rd 2025
At 10:00 ET, the Celtics (-192) will travel to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Lakers (+160) in a non-conference matchup. Boston is currently favored by 5 points and has won two straight games. The over/under line for this game is sitting at 221 points.
This game will be shown on TNT and will be played in Los Angeles. The Celtics (31-13) are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 1st in the Atlantic Division. The Lakers (23-18) are 5th in the Western Conference and 1st in the Pacific Division.
Celtics vs. Lakers Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
- Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
- Date: Thursday, January 23rd
- Betting Odds BOS -5, BOS -192 | LAL +160 O/U 221
The Celtics Can Win If…
Boston improved to 31-13 with a 117-113 win over the Clippers on Wednesday. Despite being -11.5 point favorites, the Celtics didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 230 points exceeded the O/U line of 217.
Boston went on a decisive 13-0 run, stretching the score from 89-85 to 102-85. They took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Clippers 27-25, and closed the game by holding L.A. to 19 points in the 4th.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points and 6 assists in their win over the Clippers, shooting 53.3% from the field. Jayson Tatum added 24 points, despite shooting just 40.9%, and Derrick White contributed 20 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter and 3 more in overtime.
Boston hit 19 threes at a 38% clip, with Tatum and White each making 4. As a team, they shot 45.6% from the field. Brown was perfect from deep, hitting both of his attempts.
Despite a rough start, giving up 34 points in the 1st quarter, the Celtics tightened up defensively, allowing just 25 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters and only 19 in the 4th, securing a 117-113 win over the Clippers. Boston’s defense limited Los Angeles to just 9 made three-pointers on 32% shooting from beyond the arc.
The Celtics sent the Clippers to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 10 shots. Boston finished with 24 defensive rebounds, allowing 9 offensive boards, and contributed 11 steals and 4 blocks.
- Across their three previous road games, Boston has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 113 points per game.
- Over the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Celtics struggled vs the spread going just 2-3. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-2.
- Over their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Lakers Can Win If…
The Lakers improved to 23-18 on the season with a 111-88 win over the Wizards on Tuesday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as -13.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game fell well short of the 227.5 O/U line, with the teams combining for just 199 points.
Los Angeles led 89-77 going into the 4th quarter and clamped down defensively, holding Washington to just 11 points in the final frame while scoring 22 of their own.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a win over the Wizards, scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, shooting 63.6% from the field. LeBron James added a triple-double with 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 16 points, hitting 4 threes at a 66.7% rate.
The Lakers shot 47.8% from the field and 32.4% from three, making 11 threes in the game. Davis scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, while Austin Reaves added 7 of his 16 points in the 4th quarter.
The Lakers put on a defensive clinic against the Wizards, holding them to just 88 points on Tuesday. Los Angeles gave up 23 points in the 1st quarter, 26 in the 2nd, and 28 in the 3rd before clamping down in the 4th, allowing only 11 points. Overall, the Lakers limited Washington to 35% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers held the Wizards to 25% shooting, with Washington making just 11 threes. The Lakers also sent the Wizards to the line 13 times, where they hit 9 free throws. Los Angeles controlled the boards with 43 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 10 blocks.
- Los Angeles has a 2-3 record in their last five home games. In this stretch, they averaged 106 points per game while allowing 113. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-2.
- In their last five games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +5, the Lakers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 221, and our model predicts the Celtics and Lakers to score a combined 237 points. We recommend betting on the over.
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Lakers Host Celtics in Pivotal Matchup
The Los Angeles Lakers, sitting five games above .500, prepare for a critical stretch of six consecutive road games. But first, they host the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Thursday night in a nationally televised clash.
Lakers Seeking Momentum
The Lakers bounced back from a rough patch with a commanding 111-88 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, their largest margin of victory this season. Anthony Davis dominated with 29 points and 16 rebounds, while LeBron James posted his ninth triple-double of the season (21 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds).
“It just starts with a professional approach,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “That was one of our most complete games.”
Despite foot and calf injuries, James and Davis are probable for Thursday’s game. Austin Reaves has also stepped up, averaging 15 points over the last two games, including a career-high 38 points in a win against Brooklyn last week.
Celtics Gaining Steam
The Celtics, fresh off a hard-fought 117-113 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, are showing their championship mettle. Boston has won the first two games of their West Coast trip after a brief slump.
Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Jayson Tatum (24 points) led the way against the Clippers, while Derrick White added 20 points. Boston connected on 19 3-pointers, with Tatum, White, and Sam Hauser accounting for 13 of them.
Coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed any notions of underestimating opponents after the Clippers pushed Boston to the limit despite missing key players.
“Why would people think it would be an easy game?” Mazzulla asked.
Key Players to Watch
For the Lakers, Davis and James remain the focal points, while Reaves could be an X-factor. The Celtics will rely on their stars, Tatum and Brown, with key contributions from Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis, who is expected to return alongside Jrue Holiday and Al Horford.
High-Stakes Rivalry
This matchup marks the first of two meetings between the storied franchises this season. The teams split their two games last year, and Thursday’s contest promises to add another thrilling chapter to their rivalry.
Will the Lakers maintain their home-court dominance, or can the Celtics continue their winning streak? The stage is set for an electrifying showdown.
