Lakers Look To Pick Up Steam At Home Vs Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers (12-12 SU, 8-16 ATS) host the Boston Celtics (13-11, 13-11) at Staples Center in their second meeting of the season Tuesday night. Boston is 3-1 in its last four outings while Los Angeles is 1-3 in its last four home games.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Lakers opened as 2.5-point favorites for Tuesday’s contest with the total set at 217.5 points. The OVER is 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last five games and 7-1 in the last eight meetings between the two teams. The Celtics are 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings while the Lakers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight outings.

Boston News & Notes

The Celtics picked up a big 145-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing on Saturday. Jayson Tatum and Dennis Schroder scored 31 points each to lead all scorers as Boston handed Portland just its third home loss of the season.

Tatum has had a strong season thus far, averaging 25.2 points per game – the ninth-best mark in the NBA. Jaylen Brown (21.4 points per game) has also been good but has appeared in just 13 games due to injury.

Brown (hamstring) is questionable for Tuesday while Al Horford (back) and Romeo Langford (ankle) are probable.

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Los Angeles News & Notes

The Lakers lost in the Battle of Los Angeles on Friday, falling 119-115 to the Clippers. Anthony Davis (27 points, 10 rebounds) and LeBron James (23, points, 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles and led all scorers but it wasn’t quite enough.

Despite having an elite trio in James, Davis and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles has struggled to build much momentum this season, partly due to the fact that the team’s leading scorer has appeared in just 12 contests.

James has battled through multiple injuries, most recently an abdominal issue. When healthy, he has been excellent, dropping 30 or more points three times in his last four appearances.

How Boston Will Cover

The Lakers may be the favorite on Tuesday, but the Celtics can take advantage of their porous defense. Los Angeles has allowed 113.4 points per game this season – the second-worst mark in the league. They’ve somehow been even worse at home, giving up 113.6 points on average. Tatum and Schroder are coming in hot and could pull out a win for Boston.

How Los Angeles Will Cover

While the Lakers give up a lot, they also score their fair share and still boast one of the best trios in the NBA. If James, Davis and Westbrook play to the level that they’re capable of, Los Angeles should be able to get back into the win column.

Computer Pick: Lakers -2.5

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