Without the services of Jayson Tatum, the 2025-26 season is lost for the Boston Celtics.
Last year, Boston was touted as an emerging dynasty at this time, having just won the NBA championship. However, a stunning failure in the 2025 NBA Playoffs foreshadowed its current NBA betting results.
On Friday night, Boston will host a legitimate championship contender.
The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as a serious threat in the Western Conference.
Namely, Luka Doncic has transformed the Lakers franchise, much to the NBA's relief. Most importantly, LeBron James was not missed during his absence.
The Celtics-Lakers matchup is a great way to launch the weekend. With such powerful brands clashing, betting activity will be massive and continuous.
Get the latest NBA news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don’t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics Betting at Bookmaker
TD Garden in Boston, MA, will host the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics on Friday, December 5, 2025. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET, with television coverage on Amazon Prime Video.
At the onset of betting action, the Lakers will get the vast majority of money for their side.
Boston is a nearly impossible sell without Jayson Tatum in the lineup.
Additionally, the Celtics are in the red this season. In comparison, the Lakers have provided their best wagering value in several years.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-5 straight up, 13-7 against the spread, and 14-6 over/under the total. Late on, Los Angeles covered two out of their last five games. The Lakers have gone over the total in five of their previous six matchups.
Los Angeles is 2nd in the Western Conference playoff standings. Los Angeles is five games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.
Los Angeles has NBA metrics of 11th in scoring offense, 1st in field goal percentage, 20th in 3-point field goal percentage, 11th in free throw percentage, and 27th in offensive rebounding.
On defense, the Lakers rank 14th in scoring defense, 24th in field goal percentage allowed, 23rd in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 2nd in defensive rebounding.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are 12-9 straight up, 11-10 against the spread, and 9-12 over/under the total. Late on, Boston has covered six out of their last seven games. While the Celtics have gone over the total in three of its previous five matchups.
Boston is 8th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Boston is five games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston ranks 20th in scoring offense, 17th in field goal percentage, 18th in 3-point field goal percentage, 19th in free throw percentage, and 17th in offensive rebounding.
Defensively, the Celtics rank 2nd in scoring defense, 4th in field goal percentage allowed, 22nd in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 14th in defensive rebounding.
Lakers at Celtics Betting Trends
So far, Boston has not been profitable at TD Garden.
Boston covered the spread in only five of their last 12 games at TD Garden.
The Celtics went over the total in six of their last 10 home games.
On the other hand, the Lakers have posted impressive road profits.
Los Angeles paid out in seven out of their most recent ten road tilts.
The Lakers went under the total in five of their last six away games.
Boston has struggled against the Lakers in recent years.
In this series, Boston got the money in only two of its last seven games against the Lakers.
The most recent three meetings between the Lakers and Celtics went under the total.
Specifically in Boston, the Lakers came away with the cash in two of their three games over the Celtics.
Two of those games went under the total.
Lakers at Celtics Bookmaker Best Bets
Los Angeles has emerged as one of the most formidable teams and a strong betting value in the NBA.
In comparison, the Celtics are shorthanded and hopeless in a serious championship run.
The Lakers will have the best player on the court in Doncic, and they are in much better form.
Main Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
Over/Under Pick: Under the Total
Player Prop Picks: Luka Donic Over the Combined Points-Assists-Rebounds Total
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