The Los Angeles Lakers head to Boston on a two-game skid after losing on consecutive nights in Philadelphia and Detroit. This matchup with the Boston Celtics will be their fourth game in six nights while Boston hasn’t played since Wednesday. The Celtics are refreshed and at home, which might be enough to push them past the Lakers. Celtics vs. Lakers Betting Odds It’s always a fun time when the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers meet, regardless of whether there are fans in the stands or not. These two historic rivals have played some fantastic games over the years, and Saturday’s contest shouldn’t be any different. Boston is starting to find some consistency as it has gotten healthier while Los Angeles has lost two straight as it heads to Beantown. The key to this game is going to be the star duos that both teams rely upon to jump start the offense. Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.5 points per game, and he’s been feeling things out since returning from the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Jaylen Brown is leading the team at more than 27 points per game, and he’s scored at least 20 points in nine straight games. Their success is vital for any upset chance Boston has in this game because of their ability to stretch defenses with their perimeter shooting. When Brown and Tatum are able to connect from 3-point range, the offense seems to function better around them. The Lakers have the more experienced duo with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Neither one is averaging close to the same offensive stats as Brown or Tatum, but both are over 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. James is also leading the Lakers with 7.5 assists per game as the main facilitator on offense. Los Angeles’ supporting cast is not nearly as strong as Boston’s, but Davis and James elevate their teammates more than either Brown or Tatum. Boston is a 2.5-point underdog at home at the basketball betting sites in New Jersey, which makes sense given the Celtics’ inconsistent play over the start of this season. Some of that can be attributed to injuries and illnesses, which has prevented Boston from having its full lineup in most games, but the Celtics are as healthy as they have been all season long. Tatum has had two games to round back into form, so this should be his best game since returning to the lineup. The NBA betting sites in New Jersey were right to be cautious about the Lakers after the last two games. We’re in a very challenging part of the season for Los Angeles, which has been on the road for more than a week and still have another game left in the trip after Saturday. These games are important but it’s not nearly close to the time when the Lakers need to gear up and be in peak form. All of that is important to consider with this bet. I like Boston as an upset pick in this game, but the +104 odds on the Celtics on the moneyline isn’t the right value. If the Celtics do win, it’ll be a tight game, so I’ll double the odds and bet Boston to win by 10 points or fewer at +200 odds from the legal sports betting sites in New Jersey. My Prediction Boston +2.5
