The Boston Celtics will look to continue their post-Rajon Rondo success tonight when they square off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a nationally televised battle at the TD Garden (8:00pm ET start time, TNT). The latest NBA Thursday betting odds have the Celtics listed as a -2.5 against the spread home favorite and the game total set at 196 points. The Lakers, who are experiencing an uptick of their own, are drawing +120 moneyline odds to win their fourth straight game.
The Lakers, despite a host of injuries, have somehow managed to get things turned around of late and they ride a three game winning streak into tonight’s contest. Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games and improved to 23-26 overall on Tuesday with a 92-83 win over the Nets at the Barclays Center.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers, who are midst of a seven game road swing, with 21 points; he also added eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Pau Gasol scored 15 points and blocked two shots in the victory, but, unfortunately, he tore the plantar fascia in his right foot and will, most likely, miss the next six weeks of action.
Los Angeles does get Metta World Peace back tonight (served one game suspension for fight in Detroit); however, with Gasol gone and Dwight Howard (shoulder) still out, the Lakers could be in serious trouble.
L.A. also catches the Celtics at what appears to be a bad time. Boston has not lost since Rajon Rondo suffered a season ending knee injury on January 25th and it ran its current winning streak to five games last night with a 99-95 upset (three point road dog) of the Raptors in Toronto. Los Angeles has won the last three in this series, though, including the last two at the TD Garden.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics NBA Odds:
Los Angeles Lakers +2.5 (-110), Over 196 (-110), +120 (Moneyline)
Boston Celtics -2.5 (-110), Under 196 (-110), -140 (Moneyline)
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