Boston at Los Angeles

Boston is heading up (maybe to the #3 seed in the East), while the dysfunctional Lakers are heading down. The Boston Celtics are well coached and motivated for Brad Stevens, off the signature win of the year, a 109-106 victory on Friday at Golden State, ending its 54-game home winning streak. Boston forced Golden State into 22 turnovers and gained a 57-48 advantage on the glass. The Celtics are 8-2 ATS away against a team with a losing home record. Boston is #5 in the NBA in scoring and field goal shooting defense, plus #3 in three-point defense. The Celtics can clinch a playoff spot with a victory tonight and face a Los Angeles Lakers squad that is soft everywhere, #27 in points allowed, #29 in points scored, and field goal defense. This is a bad matchup for a Lakers team on a 2-8 spread run, plus 6-15 ATS following a straight up win. Play the Celtics.