Boston Celtics versus LA Lakers Pick Prediction NBA Pro Basketball Odds Preview 2-7-2013

The 23-26 LA Lakers will continue their Grammy road trip when they face the 24-23 Boston Celtics in an NBA pro basketball game on Thursday night. Tip off time from Boston is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by TNT.

The pro basketball odds in this game will come out on Thursday afternoon as Dwight Howard has been listed as questionable with a shoulder ailment. The Lakers have lost Pau Gasol for possibly for a month due to a foot injury.

The teams met twice during the lockout season with the Lakers winning both games. Each team covered the spread in their road game.

The Lakers are 8-16 away from home on the year. They earn their third straight win and six wins in seven games after a 92-83 road win on Tuesday to the Brooklyn Nets as a +4 point underdog. The total landed under 198 ½ points. LA hits on 45.1% from the floor and just 3 of 13 from three. They limit Brooklyn to just 34.8% from the floor and 17 turnovers. Kobe Bryant had 21 points and 8 boards on 9 of 24 shooting. Dwight Howard did not play due to his shoulder injury and Pau Gasol left the game after playing 34 minutes due to a foot injury. The defense has gotten better for LA as they have allowed less than 100 points in five of their past seven games.

The Celtics are 17-9 on their home court. They have won four straight all at home following a 106-104 home win on Super Bowl Sunday against the LA Clippers as a +1 point underdog. The game ended over 183 ½ points. Boston nearly blows a 15 point lead after three quarters as they hold off a fast closing Clippers team. They shoot 50% from the floor and give up 50.6% shooting and force 21 turnovers to the Clips. Boston pulls down 12 less rebounds and barely survives. Their lack of size down low has impacted their rebounding as they rank 29th and second to last in the NBA in that important category.