Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 2/23/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers (42-12, 1st in the Pacific Division) host the Boston Celtics (39-16, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) at Staples Center on Sunday, February 23, 2020. The odds on this game have Los Angeles as 2.5 point favorites. The O/U opens at 226.

The Celtics cover 62.3% of the time, having gone 33-20-2 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 54.7% of the time, going 29-24-1 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

02/21/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is questionable Sunday vs LA Lakers

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this contest averaging 20.3 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Jayson Tatum averages 22.5 points per game in 34.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 26.7 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.3 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. LeBron James averages 25.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 10.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 45.9 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.8 per game. The Celtics allow 106.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.0 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the league with 114.8 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 7.5. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.3 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 26.3. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Lakers surrender 107.3 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 1st with 41.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 106.3, and their offensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 4th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Boston is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Lakers are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.6, and their defensive rating of 106.2 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston +2.5

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