Lakers vs Celtics 1/20/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

Date: Monday, January 20, 2020

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics (27-14, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) play the Los Angeles Lakers (34-8, 1st in the Pacific Division) at TD Garden on Monday, January 20, 2020. Los Angeles opens this matchup as 2.5 point favorites. The total is set at 226.

The Lakers are covering the spread 56.1% of the time, having gone 23-18-1 ATS. Boston is covering 59.0% of the time, going 23-16-2 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season
01/18/20 PF Anthony Davis Tailbone is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs Houston
01/18/20 PG Rajon Rondo Finger is questionable Monday vs Boston

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/18/20 SG Jaylen Brown Thumb is questionable Monday vs LA Lakers
01/18/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs Phoenix

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 13.2 points per game in 24.8 minutes per contest. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%. LeBron James comes into this contest averaging 25.5 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is at 69%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 21.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.0 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 84%. Kemba Walker averages 22.1 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they give up 22.6 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league. Los Angeles averages 114.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 26.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 13th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 105.6 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest, and 9th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game. Boston is 12th in the league with 111.7 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.1. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game and 19th in assists per contest with 23.1. The Celtics are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 104.8, and their offensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 3rd. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league. The Celtics are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston +2.5

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