Celtics vs Lakers Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 1/23/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
BOSTON vs. LA LAKERS (BOS -4.5, 221.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
CELTICS @ LAKERS 1/23/25
As the 2024-25 NBA season unfolds, we find ourselves in the midst of a battle between the reigning champions and a team that's refusing to die just yet. Boston had to go to overtime last night to beat the other Los Angeles team, the Clippers, 117-113. Now, it’s on to the Lakers tonight.
Boston's firepower, which holds second place in the NBA's offensive rating, is a tale of two extremes - a barrage of three-pointers and the agony of losses. The Celtics' thirst for shooting three-pointers surpasses all other NBA teams. The problem is that they are 13th in three-point FG percentage. The Celtics are, however, eighth in overall shooting accuracy.
The Celtics are also very good with the basketball. They have the lowest turnover rate in the NBA. Their offensive rebounding and free throws per game offer some questions. Boston is 15th in offensive rebounds and 22nd in free throws per game.
As is typical of the Celtics over the last several seasons, the defense is very good. They are currently ranked fifth in the league in scoring defense. Even if the offense sputters, the defense can keep them in games. That may have to be the case tonight as the Celtics enter this one fatigued after last night. However, Boston is 5-2 on the second leg of a back-to-back this season.
Across the court, we have LeBron James and his Lakers entering tonight’s game on the back of three victories in their last four games. The Lakers' offense ranks 13th in the league. They would be much better if they could improve their 25th-place standing in offensive rebounding.
The Lakers defense gives their fans some cause for anxiety. Despite limiting free throw attempts to the fourth-fewest in the league, the Lakers are 22nd in defensive rating, 19th in three-point defense, and a startling 26th in rim defense. Further, they are 21st in turnovers per game and 23rd in defensive rebounding rate. With those types of numbers, can the Lakers keep up with Boston tonight?
Boston has won 5 of the last 7 against the Lakers. The Celtics are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games, but they are only 2-5 ATS in their last seven. The Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home but, like Boston, they have only covered 2 of their last 4 games. In the last 13 games in this rivalry series, the Over has cashed 10 times.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
JAYSON TATUM UNDER 26.5 POINTS
Tatum averages 27.4 points per game, but he hasn’t hit his average in each of his last three games (24, 22, and 23) and he’s only hit for his average or more in 4 of 11 games this month. In 14 career games against the Lakers, Tatum averaged 24.4 points and he went for 23 and 25 in his last two against LA. The last four times that his points prop has been set at 26.5, he failed to hit it. And, he hasn’t hit this number in 5 of his last 6 road games.
