Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Expert Picks: December 25th Preview, Betting Odds and NBA Picks

The third game of the NBA’s blockbuster Christmas slate sees the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Boston Celtics. The 16-14 Lakers are underdogs on their home floor against a Celtics team with a spectacular 22-6 record.

Read below for our analysis of Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics from US sports expert Sam Cox. For more free basketball tips, visit the bettingexpert community, and for more expert tips, visit our Expert Insights section.

• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Pick: Boston Celtics -3
• Best odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Go with our tip at bet365In this article:

• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Expert Picks
• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Game Info
• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Betting Lines
• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Trends
• Los Angeles Lakers Stats & Form
• Boston Celtics Stats & Form
• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Where to Watch
• Safer Gambling

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS EXPERT PICKS

Los Angeles have gone just 5-7 against the spread at home this season. The Celtics are 4-8-2 against the spread on the road, but Boston are coming off the back of blowout wins over the Clippers and Kings. Boasting the second-best net rating in the Association, some might be surprised to see Boston only favoured by three here.

The Lakers have lost five of their last seven. LeBron James being healthy is a bonus for this matchup, but Los Angeles’ struggling offence is a concern against a versatile Celtics defence.

• Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Pick: Boston Celtics -3
• Best odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Go with our tip at bet365

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS GAME INFO

• Date: Monday, December 25
• Time: 10:00 PM (UK time)
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, California

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS Betting Lines

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING LINES
bet365 Odds	Moneyline	Over/Under 234.0	Handicap +/-3.0
Los Angeles Lakers	2.30	1.90	1.90
Boston Celtics	1.64	1.90	1.90

Odds available as of December 25th 2023. Odds may now differ.

Go with our tip at bet365

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS TRENDS

• The Celtics have the best-adjusted shot quality in the NBA at +0.07.
• Boston take three-pointers at the highest rate in the league with over 44% of their shots coming from beyond the arc.
• Only the Orlando Magic take a higher portion of their shots at the rim than the Lakers.
• Both teams rank in the top six in the league for the quantity of shots allowed in the restricted area.
• These are the league’s top two teams for allowing opponents to get to the free throw line.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS STATS & FORM

LeBron James led the Lakers to a much-needed win with 40 points against the Thunder a couple of days ago. Los Angeles tweaked their starting line-up, dropping D’Angelo Russell to the bench to pack the starting lineup with size and put the ball in James’ hands more frequently.

Going all-out on wings around James and Anthony Davis should aid them in this matchup. The challenge, though, is how it starves an already poor offensive team from perimeter shooting and shot creation. Los Angeles are 25th in offensive rating and shoot below 34% on corner threes. The burden on James in that starting five is huge.

Their defence remains among the best in the league. They have options to put on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but how does Darvin Ham balance offence and defence here?

BOSTON CELTICS STATS & FORM

Boston are a two-way force. Ranking fourth in offence and defence, the Celtics are a hard team to fault statistically. In close games, however, concerns remain about how their offence looks, with iso-ball taking over. They fail to put pressure on the rim.

Kristaps Porzingis missed the win over the Clippers, and he’s day-to-day for this one. A lot falls on Al Horford’s shoulders if the former Knick can’t suit up on Christmas Day – going small could be a problem against a sizeable Lakers rotation.

The Celtics have won 10 of their last 12 by enough points to cover this spread. It doesn’t feel great going against LeBron on a showpiece occasion like this, but the Lakers’ flaws can be exposed in this matchup.

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS BOSTON CELTICS WHERE TO WATCH

A subscription to NBA League Pass gives fans access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason.

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SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.