A historical rivalry is reignited tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Boston Celtics.
The pregame narrative: Boston has been dominant at home this season and we're expecting them to cover a sizeable spread against Los Angeles. Jayson Tatum is also primed for a big night on the glass and Russell Westbrook should have trouble facilitating.
Here are our Lakers vs. Celtics picks for January 28.
Lakers vs. Celtics picks overview
Click link to add selection to betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| Lakers vs. Celtics picks | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| Tatum over 9.5 rebounds | -103 | LAL/BOS markets |
| Celtics -8.5 | -109 | NBA Finals markets |
| Westbrook under 5.5 assists | +102 | NBA MVP markets |
Odds as of 2:34 p.m. on 01/28/2023.
Go to full Lakers/Celtics betting markets.
Lakers vs. Celtics picks
Best Bet: Tatum over 9.5 rebounds (-103)
Tatum has been dominant on the glass lately and that should continue against Los Angeles tonight.
Boston's small forward has cleared this line in five of his last eight games with two nine-rebound showings mixed in. He's averaging 11.5 boards in that span and has picked up 14-plus rebounds in each of his past two games.
It helps that he's going against a Lakers team that struggles on the glass, too.
Los Angeles allows the fifth-most rebounds per game (53.8) and concedes the second-most rebounds to small forwards per game (8.92), according to Fantasy Pros.
| NBA boosts Jan. 28 | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| Raptors +5.5 & Siakam to record 35+ pts/rebs/assists | +190 (was +165) | Add to betslip |
| Lakers +6.5 & LeBron to record 55+ pts/rebs/assits | +690 (was +600) | Add to betslip |
| LeBron & Tatum to combine for 60+ pts, 20+ rebs | +285 (was +250) | Add to betslip |
This should be a spot where Tatum can run rampant even with Anthony Davis back in the lineup opposite him.
Boston might also be without Robert Williams, who was downgraded to questionable with an ankle injury. The Celtics' big man is averaging 8.1 boards a night and that could open up even more opportunities for Tatum on the glass.
Key stat: Tatum's 8.7 rebounds per game are the most among small forwards in the NBA.
Quick picks
Celtics -8.5 (-109): The Celtics are a stellar 18-6 at TD Garden this season and have covered the spread in 13 of those games. This is a lofty number but we're not sold on the Lakers even though they've won four of their past six games.
Three of those victories were at home and Los Angeles is a less-than-stellar 11-13-1 ATS on the road this season.
Boston also has the best net rating in the league (+5.7) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd (-0.7).
Westbrook under 5.5 assists (+104): Westbrook has fallen under this total in five of his last six games including each of his past three.
The point guard is still coming off Los Angeles' bench, too, and has only logged an average of 26.3 minutes in his last three games.
He's also going up against a Celtics team that doesn't give up much defensively. Boston allows the fewest assists to point guards in the NBA (7.02).