NBA odds, picks and predictions

Lakers vs Celtics odds

NBA Rivalry Week concludes on Saturday with a matchup between two prestigious franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Coming into play, the Lakers (23-26) have his third worst record in the Western Conference. The Celtics (35-15) have the best record overall. NBAIn this matchup, the oddsmakers are predicting a comfortable win for Boston as the home favorite with an 8.5 point spread.

los angeles lakers

Davis returns to line-up

After missing more than a month, he returned to action Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs, coming off the bench for the first time since the 2012 Olympics as he was limited to 24 minutes. After the game, according to Dan Woike, Davis commented, “His legs are fine, his ankles are fine, his body feels good.”

Davis’ return is likely to be a huge boon to the Lakers’ playoff hopes and significantly improve their defense. He ranks in the 83rd percentile for defensive effectiveness when he’s on the sidelines, but ranks in the 55th percentile for offensive effectiveness and 18th percentile for defensive effectiveness when he’s on the sidelines.

James likely to be offensively behind

Before Davis was injured on Dec. 16, he was averaging 26.5 points on 21.9 field goal attempts per game. In Davis’ absence, James averaged 34.3 points on his 23.9 field goals per game and his attempts. When Davis returned to the floor earlier this week, James scored 20 points on 20 field goal attempts, but Davis came off the bench at the minute limit.

James has always branded himself as a passing first player.The return of his co-star creates an opportunity to play a facilitator role in the Lakers’ offense. Expect it to start to recede rapidly.

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boston celtics

smart out

On Saturday, he missed four games in a row with a right ankle sprain. Since last playing on Jan. 21, Boston has gone without a win in three straight games, losing to the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and New York Knicks. In a small sample size, the Celtics are ahead of him by 7.5 points per 100 possessions, and the biggest problem is his 25th-ranked offensive efficiency.

Per Cleaning the Grass, Boston ranks in the 88th percentile for offensive efficiency and 73rd percentile for defensive effectiveness if Smart is on the floor this season, compared to the 88th percentile for offensive effectiveness and the 82nd percentile for defensive effectiveness. . .

Who will step up instead of Smart?

According to CourtIQ, (+3.4%) Smart has the most usage increase of any player on the off-floor roster. In Brogdon’s last five games played smart in streetwear, he’s scored in double figures.

Still, the majority of Boston’s use in these situations remains in the hands of the two stars. Expect both players to be heavily involved in attack tonight as well.

Lakers vs Celtics – Picks and Predictions

In the first matchup between the two teams, the final score was tied 110-110 at the end of regulation. In the rematch, the Celtics offense has been severely suppressed outside the lineup. The Lakers’ defense has put the anchor back on the floor, and after a few days’ rest from Wednesday’s win over the Spurs, he should be able to play nearly 30 minutes on Saturday. Tonight, these two teams are expected to have a relatively slow pace. With current market numbers, under is a worthwhile risk.

select: Under 234 (-110, FanDuel)

Image Credit: Imagn