Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 3/9/19 Predictions & Odds

Celtics vs. Lakers Prediction

After going through a period where they appeared to be a dysfunctional mess, the Celtics have turned things around in their last two games. Seeking their third straight win, will Boston upend the Lakers tonight in L.A. when the two teams meet at 8:30 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

575 Boston Celtics at 576 Los Angeles Lakers

8:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 9, 2019

Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Celtics are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Lakers. The total, meanwhile, sits at 222 points and as of this writing, 63% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Celtics to cover the point spread.

Boston Celtics Fantasy Spin

Kyrie Irving (thigh) practiced on Friday and will play on Saturday against the Lakers. He sat out in a back-to-back game on Wednesday night due to a thigh bruise, so presumably that B2B was a big factor in keeping him out. The Celtics play on national TV against the Lakers on Saturday night, and we're fully expecting Irving to play without a minutes limit against LeBron James. Terry Rozier will move back to the bench and loses a lot of value, but he'll certainly get other starts going forward.

Los Angeles Lakers Fantasy Spin

The Lakers will reportedly keep LeBron James on a minute-limit the rest of the season, and may rest him in back-to-back sets. LeBron's trainer reportedly talked to the Lakers' front office and settled on a minute-limit of 28-32 minutes. L.A. has three back-to-back sets remaining and LeBron's status for those will be determined based on how he feels. The trade deadline has passed in most fantasy leagues, so owners will have to navigate reduced production over L.A.'s final 17 games.

NBA Betting Trends

Boston

The Celtics are 5-2-1 against the spread in their last eight games when facing an opponent with a losing record.

Los Angeles

The Lakers are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games overall.

Prediction

I thought that the Lakers were undervalued a few nights ago when they lost to the Nuggets and I’m choosing to have short memory after L.A. was whipped by Denver as a home dog. LeBron and Co. were struggling a couple of weeks ago when they tripped up the Celtics in Boston as a road dog and despite the Lakers’ current issues, I like them to cover again tonight. The Celtics are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six road games versus the Lakers and are 3-9 against the number in their last 12 games versus Los Angeles overall. The underdog in this series has also cashed in six of the previous eight meetings.

Saturday NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers +6.5