Even though Kobe Bryant is questionable to play when Los Angeles hosts the Boston Celtics on Thursday, sportsbook makers know the Lakers should roll to victory.

The huge rivalry game might be without Kobe after he sat out the game against Golden State on Tuesday, seeing as the Lakers do not play until February 23 to give him almost an extra week to heal. He has now missed four games in an attempt to rest his injured ankle but the team has not missed a step with him out of the line-up. Andrew Bynum is expected back in the line-up.

The Lakers have been cruising without their star, winning four straight against Portland, San Antonio, Utah and Golden state by an average of 13.5 points and none by single digits. Los Angeles has also won nine of its past 11 as they sit six games clear of the Denver Nuggets to lead the Western Conference.

Boston has struggled as of late, losing two going into the All Star break and then had to hold off a late run by the Kings for a 95-92 win over lowly Sacramento (18-35). The Celtics lost their previous matchup with the Lakers in Boston and have not beaten a top four team since Christmas Day.

The Celtics have also only broken 100 points once in their last 14 games, and going up against a Lakers team that averages over 103 points a game, Boston just does not have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Lakers.

Los Angeles should move farther ahead of the Nuggets, who are in tough with a matchup against league leading Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Celtics will lose ground on idle Atlanta and are in danger of slipping out of home court advantage; if they continue with their poor play.