Opening Line: Boston -5.5
Current Line: Click Here
Thursday night’s light NBA schedule is highlighted by an NBA Finals rematch between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics from TD Banknorth Garden. The way things are going this year, these two teams might be playing each other again come June. After dispatching the Lakers in six games in last year’s Finals, the Celtics visited L.A. on Christmas Day and lost 92-83. Boston went on to lose 4 of their next 6 games, but have things back on track now as they have won 12 straight thanks to Ray Allen’s buzzer beater the other night in Philadelphia.
This will be the Lakers third game without center Andrew Bynum, who is out for the remainder of the regular season after tearing his right MCL. Kobe Bryant responded Monday night in Madison Square Garden by pouring in 61 points. The Lakers are going to need Bynum if they want to get to the Finals again.
L.A. is now 4-0 on their current road trip that has them playing 6 games in 10 days. I’m sure they will play 100% tonight even after playing in Toronto last night. The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in the 2nd game of back-to-backs.
Kevin Garnett should be back in the lineup for the C’s as he’s recovering from the flu. I like Boston in this game to cover the 5.5. They seem to have the Lakers number at home the last 2 years as they are 4-0 straight up and against the spread versus the Lakers.
Here are some other trends to consider in this game:
Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games.
Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Lakers are 16-5-2 ATS in their last 23 games as a road underdog.
Lakers are 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 games as an underdog.
Lakers are 8-21 ATS in their last 29 vs. Eastern Conference.
Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Celtics are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. win.
Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Celtics are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Pacific.
Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Celtics are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Celtics are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Celtics are 39-15 ATS in their last 54 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Celtics are 24-10 ATS in their last 34 vs. Western Conference.
Celtics are 55-24-1 ATS in their last 80 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 40-19 ATS in their last 59 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Celtics are 25-12 ATS in their last 37 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 1-8 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Boston.
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