The Los Angeles Lakers remember well what happened the last time they faced Boston – and they're ready for some payback as they host the Celtics in Sunday's hotly-anticipated rematch. The Celtics throttled Los Angeles by 32 points in their last encounter (easily its worst loss of the season) and Lakers center Anthony Davis told reporters, "We feel like we owe them."
- Date/Time: February 23, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: ABC
- Sportsbook Odds: Lakers -7.5 | O/U 225.5
- Lakers vs. Celtics Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Lakers kicked things off as 7.5-point favorites, while the total opened at 225.5.
Los Angeles Lakers News & Notes
LeBron James doesn't have a Defensive Player of the Year vote – but if he did, he says he'd give it to Davis. The Lakers' marquee offseason acquisition racked up 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots in Los Angeles' 117-105 win over Memphis on Friday, and is probable for Sunday's marquee rematch despite injuring his calf during that victory against the Grizzlies.
But none of the Lakers played like DPOY candidates in the first meeting as the team allowed a season-high in points while allowing the Celtics to shoot 55.9 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range. That said, things should be much tougher at Staples Center, where the Lakers have limited foes to 43.6 percent shooting – the fifth-lowest rate in the NBA.
Boston Celtics News & Notes
Veteran guard Kemba Walker was one of several Boston players to have a solid showing in the first meeting with the Lakers, pouring in 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding seven assists. But he'll miss his second straight game with a knee injury, leaving the Celtics without the services of their second-leading scorer (21.8 ppg) and primary assist man (5.0 apg).
His absence puts more of the onus on team scoring leader Jayson Tatum (22.5 ppg), who erupted for 28 points and 11 rebounds as Boston prevailed 127-117 Friday in their first game out of the All-Star break vs Minnesota. Tatum led the way with 27 points in that blowout win over the Lakers, and he has stepped up with a sensational 28.3 ppg average so far in February.
Betting Pick: Lakers -7.5
Los Angeles has been looking forward to this one for nearly five weeks – and with Walker out of the picture for the Celtics, the hosts should cover this one comfortably.
- Boston is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games.
- Los Angeles is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games.
- The OVER is 12-5 in Los Angeles' last 17 games.
