The Lakers are improving, but they are still levels below the Celtics, who are in the argument for best team in the NBA.

Boston concludes its six-game road trip here having lost two in a row getting blown out by the Warriors and Clippers last night. The Celtics should be motivated following those humiliations. They are 17-7 ATS following a loss. The Celtics are a strong road team, too, going 24-11-1 ATS in their past 36 away contests.

The Lakers just finished their own six-game road trip with a victory against the Pistons this past Sunday night. They find the Celtics waiting for them in LA. It's the Lakers' first home game this month. So they might not have their full concentration being away from home for two weeks. 

The Celtics have covered six of the last seven in the series.