The Boston Celtics travel to Staples Center tonight to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time this season. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Celtics-Lakers prediction and pick.

The Celtics currently hold a record of 29-26 overall and 27-28 against the spread. Boston is coming off a hard-fought win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers stand at 34-21, and like the Celtics, are 27-28 against the spread. Los Angeles is coming off a close win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Celtics-Lakers odds.

NBA Odds: Celtics vs. Lakers Odds

Boston Celtics -6 (-110)

Los Angeles Lakers +6 (-110)

Over 212.5 Points (-110)

Under 212.5 Points (-110)

Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread

The Lakers have covered in four of their last five games, and seem to have found some groove with both their stars off the floor.

Since LeBron James went down, Los Angeles has posted a respectable record of 6-7, not bad considering the absence of two of the best players in the NBA.

The most impressive aspect of the Lakers stretch has been the consistency of their defense.

While their offense plummeted with James off the floor, their team defense has continued to slow offenses down. The Lakers still allow the second least points in the league and hold opponents to the sixth-lowest overall field goal percentage and second-lowest three-point percentage.

Los Angeles will need to rely on this defense tonight to get another upset. Boston's defense is upper tier, but they go through stretches without scoring.

If the Lakers can slow the Celtics enough and keep this game from becoming a shootout, it gives them the best chance of sweeping the season series against Boston.

On the offensive end, Los Angeles will rely on Dennis Schroder to continue his surge. In his last three games, the Lakers point guard is averaging 19.7 points on 51% shooting and 50% from three.

If Schroder can drop 20-25 points and Montrezl Harrell can chip in another 15, the Lakers will be in striking distance in the final minutes of this game.

Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread

The Celtics have covered three straight and eight of their last 12. They are a perfect 5-0 against the spread in their last five games where they've been favored by six points or more.

The Lakers are on a decent stretch themselves, but a closer look at their wins determines they've beat up on some of the weaker teams in the league. Aside for an anomaly game against the Nets, Los Angeles has feasted on weak competition.

Since LeBron went down, the Lakers are 2-6 against teams above .500 and 4-1 against teams below .500. Most of their wins have come against teams with no playoff hopes.

On the other hand, the Celtics have defeated three playoff contenders in their last four games in the form of the Knicks, the Blazers, and the Nuggets.

What's most interesting about Boston's recent wins is their ability to adapt. They beat the Wolves in a shootout, put on a defensive masterpiece against the Nuggets, and then won another high-scoring game on Portland's home floor.

The Celtics don't consistently dominate on either end of the floor (16th in points per game, 10th in points allowed), but they've shown flashes of brilliance on both sides.

Considering the Lakers recent run, this is likely to be a low-scoring game. In their last five games that hit the under, the C's are 4-1 overall.

With all their injuries, it's doubtful the Lakers run up the numbers. If the Celtics can get in the 100-110 point range, they have an excellent shot at covering.

Final Celtics-Lakers Prediction & Pick

Although the Lakers have been surprisingly solid in the absence of James and Davis, this is a different caliber of opponent that is nearly fully healthy. The Celtics should handle a star-less Lakers offense much better than the Nets did, and the Lakers don't have the defenders in place to slow all three of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. I'll back the Celtics to avenge their loss earlier this season and cover the spread in Los Angeles.

FINAL SIXERS-LAKERS PREDICTION & PICK:  BOSTON CELTICS -6