Despite significant roster turnover and playing much of the season without star forward Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics remain a top contender, trailing only the Detroit Pistons in the standings.
Jaylen Brown has emerged as a top MVP candidate this season, averaging 29.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 4.7 APG. He served as a starter for Team USA Stripes in the new 2026 All-Star round-robin format, leading them to two narrow wins before falling to Team Stars in the final.
Under second-year head coach JJ Redick, the Los Angeles Lakers have leaned into a high-powered offense featuring the superstar trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. However, injuries have limited the three to appearing in only 10 games together this season.
An NBC prime-time matchup between two of the greatest legacy franchises in the NBA means a stampede of betting activity and viewership.
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Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Betting at Bookmaker
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, will host the Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Tipoff time is at 6:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
The Lakers expect to be fully healthy for the first time this season once play resumes. Luka Doncic is expected to return for the Feb 20 game against the Clippers after missing four straight games with a right hamstring strain.
LeBron James is dealing with left foot arthritis, but is no longer on the injury report and played in the 2026 All-Star Game. Deandre Ayton is projected to return around Feb 20 from a knee problem.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown dealt with left hamstring tightness and right knee soreness in early February, causing him to miss a matchup against the Rockets. However, he returned to the lineup before the break.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are 35-19 straight up, 30-23-1 against the spread, and 20-34 over-under the total. Late on, Boston has covered five out of their last seven games. The Celtics have gone under the total in nine of their previous 10 matchups.
Boston is 2nd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Boston is 5.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston ranks 17th in scoring offense, 17th in field goal percentage, 11th in 3-point field goal percentage, 11th in free throw percentage, and 8th in offensive rebounding.
The Celtics rank 2nd in scoring defense, 3rd in field goal percentage allowed, 17th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 7th in defensive rebounding.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-21 straight up, 29-24-1 against the spread, and 30-24 over-under the total. Late on, Los Angeles has covered four of its last six games. At the same time, the Lakers have gone under the total in three of their previous five matchups.
Los Angeles is 5th in the Western Conference playoff standings. Los Angeles is eight games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.
Los Angeles ranks 14th in scoring offense, 1st in field goal percentage, 20th in 3-point field goal percentage, 24th in free throw percentage, and 28th in offensive rebounding.
The Lakers rank 18th in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage allowed, 21st in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 3rd in defensive rebounding.
Celtics at Lakers Betting Trends
Boston covered the spread in their last two meetings with the Lakers. Additionally, Los Angeles got the money in only four of its last 14 games with the Celtics. Three of the last four games between the Celtics and Lakers went under the total.
Specifically in Los Angeles, the Lakers covered the spread in only two of their last seven games with the Celtics. Six of the last eight games between the Celtics and Lakers in Los Angeles went over the total.
Celtics at Lakers Bookmaker Best Bets
The best value is Boston with its balanced, adaptable roster. Both teams play methodically (Boston controls the pace, LA grinds when shorthanded), limiting scoring chances on both sides.
Main Pick: Boston Celtics
Over/Under Pick: Under the Total
Player Prop Picks: Jaylen Brown Over the Points Total
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