Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Prediction 12/5/2025 Today’s NBA Picks

The Los Angeles Lakers pay a visit to the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on Friday night. Here’s a Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Pick.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview 

The Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form as they’ve won 16 of their first 21 games of the season and they will be eager to maintain that momentum after outlasting the Raptors in a 123-120 road win last night. Austin Reaves led the team with 44 points and 11 assists on 13 of 21 shooting, Deandre Ayton tallied 17 points with eight rebounds and two blocks while Jake LaRavia chipped in with 14 points.

As a team, the Lakers shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from the 3-point line as they battled the Raptors in a tight contest that looked headed for overtime. Before Rui Hachimura drained the game winner at the buzzer to steal the game for the Lakers. LeBron James had a quiet game of just eight points with 11 assists on four of 17 shooting from the field.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview 

The Boston Celtics have been on a tear as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after making light work of the Wizards in a 146-101 road win last night. Derrick White led the team with 30 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists on 12 of 21 shooting. Jordan Walsh added 22 points on eight of eight shooting, Payton Pritchard scored 20 points with eight assists, while Neemias Queta chipped in with 17 points on seven of nine shooting.

As a team, the Celtics shot 55 percent from the field and 20 of 47 from the 3-point line as they got off to a rapid start and surprisingly led by only seven points despite a strong first half. But they caught fire and dominated the second half by 80-42 to smash the Wizards despite playing without Jaylen Brown who sat out with an illness. 

Why the Boston Celtics will win

• The Celtics have won 15 of their last 16 games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last five games at TD Garden following a win.
• The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last six games.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Lakers have won five of their last six games as road underdogs.
• The Celtics have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a road win.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Friday games.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the Lakers’ last nine road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of the Celtics’ last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.

Boston Celtics Player Facts

• Jordan Walsh is one of only four players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
• Payton Pritchard ranks 10th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.8) this season.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• Rui Hachimura ranks 6th amongst qualified players for 3P% (46.8%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Celtics rank 30th in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (19.1).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (85.3).
• Seven different Lakers players have scored 25+ points in a game this season – equal-most in the league.
• The Lakers rank 30th in the league for turnover percentage this season (14.4%).

Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Prediction

The Lakers are still missing Marcus Smart and Luka Doncic, while the Celtics have ruled out Jayson Tatum with Jaylen Brown listed as questionable. The Lakers are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum. They might still be celebrating after last night’s thrilling win over the Raptors, but now they take on the Celtics who have quietly been one of the form teams in the league lately.

The Lakers can certainly pull off the upset in this one if Reaves has another monster game, but James looked really rusty last night. They’re going to need to be at their best to take down the Celtics who looked great last night thanks to their role players stepping up in the absence of Brown. This is a game where you should check the lineups before tipoff, but if Brown is out again, I think the Lakers can hang around and at get the cover in a close one.

Peter Tran's Pick: LA Lakers +7.5