Lakers @ Celtics: Celtics -6.5
Last night the Celtics reminded everyone just how dangerous they can be when everything clicks. Even without one of their stars, they absolutely dismantled the Wizards in a 146–101 rout — a 45-point blowout and the largest margin of victory in the league this season.
That performance speaks volumes about where Boston is mentally and how deep their roster is. Guys like Derrick White and Jordan Walsh stepped up in a big way — White dropped 30 points with nine assists and seven rebounds, while Walsh poured in a perfect 22-point night on flawless shooting. Their effort wasn’t just about raw scoring: the Celtics shot over 54 percent from the field and knocked down more than 40 percent of their threes, showing offensive balance and confidence across the board.
With that kind of momentum carried into tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the case for Boston to cover a -6.5 spread only strengthens. The blowout win seems to have reinforced both their confidence and chemistry. Offense is flowing, bench and rotation pieces are contributing, and the team looks locked in.
On defense, Boston has shown it can clamp down when needed. The way they handled Washington (controlling pace, limiting mistakes, and dominating both inside and on the perimeter) suggests they can impose their will on a Lakers squad that’s less steady, especially if the Lakers are missing or limiting key contributors.
Finally, there’s something to be said about rhythm and timing. Coming off a dominant win, the Celtics have that bounce and swagger teams need to ride into the next game. When you combine that with home court and a strong all-around performance, the odds favor them not only winning — but winning by enough to cover.
After last night’s 45-point win, this feels like a team firing on all cylinders — offensively, defensively, and mentally. If they maintain focus, tonight should be their night to cover in convincing fashion.