Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions March 8th 2025

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers March 8th 2025

At 8:30 ET, the Celtics (-264) will host the Lakers (+218) in a non-conference matchup. The Celtics are favored by 7.5 points and the over/under line is 226.5.

This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and can be seen on ABC. The Lakers have won eight straight games and are 40-21 on the season. The Celtics are 45-18 and have won three in a row. Both teams are currently second in their respective conferences.

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Lakers vs. Celtics Key Information

The Lakers improved to 40-21 this season with a 113-109 win over the Knicks on Thursday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as -2.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The combined score of 222 points fell short of the 231.5-point total.

After leading 31-27 after the 1st quarter, the Lakers fell behind by 8 points going into the 4th quarter, as the Knicks outscored them 33-20 in the 2nd quarter. However, Los Angeles clamped down defensively in the final period, holding New York to just 15 points while scoring 23 to complete the comeback.

Luka Dončić and LeBron James powered the Lakers’ offense in their 113-109 win over the Knicks, with Dončić posting 32 points and 12 assists, and James adding 31 points and 12 rebounds. Dončić hit 4 threes at 33.3% efficiency, while shooting 39.1% from the field overall. James connected on 47.8% of his shots, though he struggled from deep, making just 2 threes at 25%.

The Lakers made 14 threes as a team, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc and 42.7% overall. Gabe Vincent was perfect from three, hitting 4 threes and scoring 9 of his 12 points in the 4th quarter. Dončić also added 5 points in overtime, while James contributed 4 in the extra period.

Despite giving up 33 points in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers tightened up defensively in the 4th, allowing just 15 points to secure the win. Overall, they held the Knicks to 109 points on 39% shooting.

From beyond the arc, the Lakers limited the Knicks to 10 made threes on 23% shooting. They also recorded 7 steals and 4 blocks in the game.

Boston improved to 45-18 on the season with a 123-105 win over the 76ers on Thursday. Playing at home, the Celtics were favored by 13.5 points and covered the spread. The game’s total score of 228 points went over the pre-game line of 217.5.

A key moment came when Boston went on a 10-0 run, stretching their lead from 25-19 to 35-19. They led 35-24 after the 1st quarter and 64-46 at halftime. The teams played evenly in the 3rd and 4th quarters, each scoring 33 and 26 points, respectively.

The Celtics shot 50.5% from the field and hit 19 threes at a 39.6% rate in their win over the 76ers. Jayson Tatum led the way with 35 points, including 18 in the 1st quarter and another 15 in the 3rd, connecting on 5 threes at 45.5%.

Payton Pritchard added 19 points, with 8 coming in the 4th quarter, and hit 4 threes at 50%. Baylor Scheierman contributed 15 points, making 3 threes, while Derrick White and Torrey Craig each scored 10 of their 12 points in a single quarter, White in the 1st and Craig in the 2nd.

The Celtics put together a strong defensive performance, holding the 76ers to 105 points on Thursday. Boston allowed 24 points in the 1st quarter and 22 in the 2nd, but gave up 33 in the 3rd. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 26 points. Overall, the Celtics held the 76ers to 42% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Celtics allowed 15 made threes on 38% shooting. They sent the 76ers to the free-throw line 12 times, where they made 10. Boston finished with 30 defensive rebounds, gave up 18 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 6 blocks.

The Celtics is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 137-118. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Celtics at -7.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 226.5, and our model projects the Lakers and Celtics to reach a combined total of 255 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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Celtics Out to Put an End to Lakers’ Win Streak

The Boston Celtics will attempt to cool off the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers when two of the NBA’s most storied franchises clash on Saturday night.

Lakers Rolling with Momentum

The Lakers extended their winning streak to eight games with a 113-109 overtime victory against the New York Knicks on Thursday. Los Angeles erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure the win, showing their resilience in tight contests.

“We haven’t had many of those games because, frankly, we’ve had the lead a lot lately,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I think it’s a good reminder for our group going forward that we can win games like this where we’re not at our best offensively, but we have enough toughness and grit to get these games.”

Since acquiring Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade with Dallas, the Lakers have surged into second place in the Western Conference, winning 18 of their last 21 games. Doncic has been a major catalyst, averaging 23.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 10 games with Los Angeles.

“I think we have a great team, we have great players,” Doncic said. “Chemistry is building. They’re all great guys. I am just happy to be part of this.”

The matchup with Boston marks the beginning of a four-game road trip that also includes games in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Denver.

Celtics Overcoming Injury Challenges

Boston enters the contest on a three-game winning streak, despite dealing with key injuries. Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (finger) have missed four straight games, while Jaylen Brown (knee), Al Horford (toe), and Sam Hauser (ankle) were all sidelined in Thursday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Hauser remains questionable for Saturday.

“You respect and understand the history and all the guys that wore the Lakers and Celtics uniform and what it means for the game of basketball and the NBA,” Boston star Jayson Tatum said. “It’s an honor to be a part of that, for sure. Everybody looks forward to this matchup every year.”

The game will showcase four players averaging over 23 points per game: Tatum (26.9), Doncic (26.8), LeBron James (25.1), and Brown (23.1).

Legacy and Showdown of Stars

Boston and Los Angeles remain the NBA’s premier franchises, with the Celtics boasting 18 championships, including last season’s title, while the Lakers have 17. No other team in league history has won more than seven.

Tatum also praised James for his continued dominance at age 40.

“As much as we probably talk about LeBron, we probably don’t talk about him enough,” Tatum said. “Being 40 in his 22nd season, playing at an All-NBA level, is incredible. It’s a testament to his work ethic and his dedication to staying in peak condition. It’s an honor to compete against him in these matchups.”

With both teams surging and playoff seeding on the line, Saturday’s game promises to add another chapter to this storied rivalry.

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