Kobe Bryant and the Lakers travel to Boston to take on Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics at 3:30 pm ET at the TD Center.  The odds makers currently have this game listed as a pick em', meaning of course, there is no handicap and you just need to picks the winner to win your bet.  The over/under is right around 195 points.

The Lakers are coming off a good road win against the Philadelphia 76ers in which they won 99-91 and covered the 7 point spread.  Kobe had 24 points in that one and Paul Gasol had 19 point sand 10 rebounds.

The Celtics are coming off a 100-91 point defeat against the surging Atlanta Hawks.  Atlanta was favored by four in that one and covered easily.  However, Paul Pierce was very impressive with a 35 point performance for Boston.

The Lakers are really the top team in the league with the best record in the West as well as being defending NBA Champions.  Boston is making another run at a title but with aging players, it will be quite the challenge.  Since the Lakers are the younger team and the fact that they are 4-1 of their last 5 on the road, we can see a play on the Lakers being a wise move.


Team records:
Los Angeles: 36-11 SU, 22-25 ATS
Boston: 29-15 SU, 18-26 ATS

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Memphis are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Boston is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games when playing LA Lakers
Boston is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Boston is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Boston's last 18 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

Next up:
LA Lakers at Memphis, Monday, February 1
Boston at Washington, Monday, February 1

Stats by Bodog