The Boston Celtics (36-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (34-21) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The Celtics are 2-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Celtics -2), with the over/under set at 229 total points. Boston is a -125 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Celtics vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, February 22.
Celtics vs Lakers Prediction
- Celtics vs Lakers pick: Celtics Moneyline (-125)
My Lakers vs. Celtics best bet is on Boston moneyline at -125. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Celtics vs Lakers Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | -125 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | +105 |
Celtics vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Celtics and Lakers played nearly 400 times, faced off in 12 NBA Finals, and have accounted for 35 of the league's 78 NBA titles.
Tonight, they will renew their storied rivalry in primetime on NBC's second installment of "Sunday Night Basketball" this season.
The Celtics have controlled the series in recent years, taking seven of the last 10 meetings. That includes the most recent matchup, 126-105, in December.
Boston went into the All-Star break winning seven out of nine. They continued to roll coming out of it as they defeated the Warriors 121-110 on Thursday in a game they controlled much of the way and led by as many as 34 points.
Jaylen Brown posted his triple-double of the year with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. He may be excited to get back to Los Angeles as he had 50 points against the Clippers last month.
Payton Pritchard has been another key factor of late.
Following the trade of Anfernee Simons, Pritchard has reprised his sixth man role to give the team another playmaker on the second unit.
Over his last six games, he is averaging 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 52/43/83 shooting splits.
Meanwhile, the Lakers withstood a battle from the Clippers on Friday night, winning 125-122 at home. They got back Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton while Austin Reaves' minutes restriction was lifted.
Doncic and Reaves combined for 67 points while LeBron James had a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.
The Lakers improved to 34-21 and 16-10 at home. After a Knicks rally last night, the Lakers pulled into a tie with the Rockets for the fourth seed.
Over the final quarter of the season, seeding and the battle for homecourt advantage in the first round will be something to keep an eye on.
Just one game separates the Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers, and Timberwolves for the 3-6 spots in the Western Conference.
Likewise, for the Celtics who currently occupy the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, despite their own surge, they are just a game up on the Knicks and Cavaliers.
The Knicks handed the Celtics their last loss as well, which is what the Lakers will look to do tonight.
Celtics vs Lakers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Celtics Moneyline
The Celtics first victory over the Lakers this season did not include James or Doncic.
However, I am inclined to go with the Celtics again.
The Celtics are 18-10 on the road this season and 7-6 on the road against teams over .500.
Two of those losses were against the Pistons, who they won't have to worry about tonight.
In clutch time, the Lakers are 16-3, which makes sense having James and Doncic to close out games.
However, the Celtics are much better defensively, ranking eighth in defensive rating while the Lakers are 24th.
Over their last 15 games, Boston is fourth in defensive rating and fifth with a +9.0 net rating.
Payton Pritchard 3+ Three-Pointers Made
One of Boston's biggest advantages in this game will be the long ball.
The Lakers are 18th in 3-pointers allowed and 24th in 3-point percentage defense.
The Celtics made 24 3s in the first meeting and Pritchard accounted for three of them.
He has made three triples in four of his last five games, averaging 3.8 per game.
Jaylen Brown 35+ Points, Rebounds, & Assists
Brown has scored 30 points in each of those games against the Lakers.
He had 39 and 46 points, rebounds, and assists in those games.
He has accounted for 35+ PRA in six of his last 10 games.
Derrick White 6+ Assists
Derrick White has had eight assists in six of his past eight games, averaging 7.3 per game in that span.
He has had six assists in four of his last five games against the Lakers.
The Lakers are 29th in assists allowed to point guards.
LeBron James 6+ Assists
James will also look to facilitate for the Lakers playing off Doncic.
He has had six assists in each of his last eight games and double-doubles in the last five.
He has also had six assists in each of his last three games against Boston.
Celtics vs Lakers Best Bet
- Celtics Moneyline (-125, bet365)
Celtics vs Lakers Parlay Picks
- Jaylen Brown 35+ Points, Rebounds, & Assists
- LeBron James 6+ Assists
- Derrick White 6+ Assists
- Payton Pritchard 3+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +440 via DraftKings
Lakers vs Celtics Betting Trends
