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The Los Angeles Lakers will try to keep pace with the leaders in the Western Conference when they take on their storied rivals, the Boston Celtics, in a primetime matchup on Saturday at TD Garden in Boston. After losing two straight games, the Lakers (14-6) sit in third place in the West, 1.5 games behind the red-hot, conference-leading Jazz and one game behind the Clippers. They could be without Anthony Davis (questionable, quad) in this matchup. The Celtics (10-7) are in fourth in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the East-leading 76ers but only one game behind the second-place Nets. 

Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Lakers vs. Celtics odds. The over-under for total points expected is 218.5, down one point from the opening line. Before finalizing any Celtics vs. Lakers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it returned over $5,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks last season. The model is up nearly $8,100 over the past two-plus seasons. Dating back to last season, it is also on a stunning 69-40 roll on top-rated picks against the spread, returning almost $2,500 on those selections alone. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Celtics. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Celtics vs. Lakers:

  • Lakers vs. Celtics spread: Los Angeles -2.5
  • Lakers vs. Celtics over-under: 218.5 points
  • Lakers vs. Celtics money line: Los Angeles -140, Boston +120
  • LAL: Lakers lead the NBA in defensive efficiency (105.0 points per 100 possessions)
  • BOS: Jaylen Brown ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring (27.1 points per game)

Why the Lakers can cover

Los Angeles is getting the job done on the defensive end of the floor. With the Lakers averaging 6.1 blocks per game (third in the NBA), they allow opponents to shoot just 44.9 percent from the field, which ranks seventh in the league. That has helped Los Angeles give up just 104.8 points per game, which is second in the NBA, behind only the Knicks.

In addition, the Lakers have proven they can win on the road this season. Even after the last two losses, Los Angeles is 10-2 as the road team. That is the best away record in the NBA. No other team has won even eight road games.

Why the Celtics can cover

Jaylen Brown is having an All-Star-caliber season. The fourth-year swingman from Cal ranks seventh in the league in scoring, at 27.1 points per game. That's a significant jump from the 20.3 he averaged last season and more than double his 2018-19 average. He also is adding 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

In addition, Boston is getting Los Angeles toward the end of a long road trip and possibly without Davis. Saturday's game will be the Lakers' sixth game on a seven-game trip. It will also be the team's third game in four nights.

How to make Celtics vs. Lakers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, with Brown being held well under his average in the simulations. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Celtics vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Celtics vs. Lakers spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.