Skip to main content

Lakers vs. Celtics Odds, Picks, Predictions: Boston Looks to End 3-Game Skid

Philip Wood

Last Updated: January 28, 2023 7:08 PM EST • 2 min 33 sec read.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics takes a shot against Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on Jan. 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics takes a shot against Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on Jan. 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via AFP.

The Los Angeles Lakers won three of their last four games ahead of Saturday's visit to play the Boston Celtics. Can Boston snap out of a three-game losing skid? Read on for our top Lakers vs. Celtics NBA picks based on the best NBA odds.

The Celtics lost three games in a row, matching their longest losing streak of the season. All three of their losses came without point guard Marcus Smart, who will miss Saturday’s game. The team still holds NBA's the best record, and they're currently favored by 8.5 points against the Lakers.

Power forward Anthony Davis returned in the Lakers’ win over the San Antonio Spurs, his first appearance since Dec. 16. He scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, a welcome sight for Lakers’ fans. In worse news, small forward LeBron James is questionable for Saturday’s matchup. 

Here is our best Lakers vs. Celtics NBA pick (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our best NBA betting sites to help you make your NBA player props and NBA best bets for Saturday.

Lakers vs. Celtics game info

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8:30 p.m.
  • TV: ABC
  • Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Lakers vs. Celtics odds

Check out our NBA Finals odds and NBA MVP odds.

Lakers vs. Celtics odds analysis

The Celtics opened as 7.5-point favorites, and the line moved to 8.5 at most top-rated sportsbooks. James' status is likely a key factor in the line's growth, and could swell to as much as 10. Despite Boston losing three consecutive games, 59% of bettors back the Celtics against the spread.

The total opened at 236.5, and since went up to 237. In the first meeting between these two teams, there were a total of 240 points, but that included 20 scored in overtime. The Celtics scored less than 100 points in two of their last three contests, but 53% of bettors back the Over in this game.

Lakers vs. Celtics pick

Jayson Tatum Over 30.5 points (-111 via FanDuel) vs. Lakers ⭐⭐⭐

It’s hard to be confident in either the spread or the total in this game. The Celtics haven't looked the same without Smart. However, if the Lakers don't have LeBron, or if he's limited, it’s hard to imagine them keeping up with one of the NBA's best teams. James has been a force this season, scoring 30 or more in three of his last five, including 46 against the L.A. Clippers.

This total seems really high considering recent results, but each of these teams a league top 5 in scoring. If the Celtics continue their offensive struggles, then this is a good Under bet, but the Lakers are also one of the pro basketball's worst defensive teams. So, the total is a no-play.

The player prop with the best value most likely to hit is Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum’s point total. He averages 31.1 points per game. There's also value in taking his points plus rebounds Over 39.5. In three of his last four games, he pulled down at least 14 boards, including 19 against the Golden State Warriors. However, he only averages 8.7 this season.

The last time Tatum played the Lakers, he scored 44. He's scored more than 30 in eight of his last 10 matchups.

Lakers vs. Celtics best odds

FanDuel (-111)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Over 30.5Over 31.5N/AOver 30.5Over 30
-125-111N/A-127-160

FanDuel currently offers the highest total for Tatum, but also has the best price by a significant amount. DraftKings and Caesars list the line at 30.5 and offer prices of -125 or worse, while PointsBet is way too expensive.

FanDuel's price is simply worth it for Tatum to score 32 points instead of 31.

Lakers vs. Celtics pick made 1/28/2023 at 6:29 a.m. ET.

Here are our best NBA betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)

* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related pages

Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil is a Sports Betting Analyst for Sportsbook Review and BettingPros.com, specializing in NFL and college football. He previously covered college football and college basketball for CanesInsight.com, where he also hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast. Phil is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is if a line doesn't make sense, just assume that Vegas knows something you don't. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. Some would call him a frontrunner for his love of the Yankees and the Celtics, but he's also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and will never forgive the refs for the blown pass interference call against the Cowboys in 2015.