Two of the NBA's most storied franchises will face off on Christmas Day when the Lakers host the Celtics. With 17 titles each, these franchises are a staple of NBA Christmas Day matchups. They've played three times on Christmas, with the Lakers winning the past two.
The NBA tries to schedule the best or most popular teams on Christmas Day, and the Celtics and Lakers usually get the call. The Lakers are playing in their 25th straight Christmas Day contest. L.A. is 2-3 in their last five Christmas Day matchups, while Boston is 3-2 in their last five.
Boston has been atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season after entering the year as one of the betting favorites to win the NBA title. The Celtics have only been an underdog in one contest this season and cover the spread at about a 50% rate. The Lakers record is closer to .500 overall but cover the spread at closer to 40%.
We have the live odds, team betting news, BetMGM NBA futures and a betting prediction for Celtics vs. Lakers Christmas Day Basketball.
Live odds for Celtics vs. Lakers
Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Christmas Day NBA basketball at the top online sportsbooks for Celtics vs. Lakers.
More NBA betting: NBA Finals odds | NBA MVP odds
Boston Celtics betting news
NBA Christmas Day games offer a chance for star players to show out. The best players in the league regularly take nights off during the 82-game grind of the regular season nursing minor injuries or simply resting. But prime-time games, and especially holidays, tend to draw the NBA's stars to the big stage. So expect to see the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown going full-out in this one.
Over the last three Celtics Christmas Day games, their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have shown up in a big way, averaging a combined 55.6 points per game. The best performance came last year when the two combined for 70 points in a blowout win over the Bucks (Tatum 41 points and Brown 29).
The two will try to replicate that performance against the Lakers, and they may have the best supporting cast around them they've had their entire time in Boston. Kristaps Porzingis is playing at an All-Star level, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are each averaging double figures as well. Expect the Celtics to show up on Christmas Day looking to make a statement and let the NBA know they may be the team to beat this season.
Boston Celtics betting futures
The Celtics have lived up to the hype this season. They came in as one of the top projected teams in the league and have met the expectations so far. Their strong start has kept their future odds very strong for winning the NBA Championship, the Eastern Conference and their division, and Jayson Tatum's play has him in the MVP conversation.
- Celtics odds to win NBA Championship (+375)
- Celtics odds to win Eastern Conference (+130)
- Celtics odds to win Atlantic Division (-750)
- Jayson Tatum odds to win MVP (+1800)
Los Angeles Lakers betting news
The highlight of the Lakers season is obviously their in-season tournament championship. While their regular season record is not great, the championship showed that when they are at their best, the Lakers are as good as anyone. While some of the Lakers veterans are not always available or nurse minor injuries in some regular season games, expect every player except those with a significant injury to play against the Celtics.
The contest against the Celtics will be the first time Anthony Davis has been healthy enough to play on Christmas since 2020. This will be LeBron James' 18th Christmas Day game, though, and he has a strong track record of big performances. James averages 27.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and seven assists on Christmas.
James has put up two of his best-ever Christmas performances over the last two years with 39 and 38 points. With AD healthy for the first time in two seasons on Christmas and LeBron looking for a third straight big game, the Lakers should be up for a battle with the Celtics.
Los Angeles Lakers betting futures
The Lakers have been up and down this season, but winning the inaugural in-season tournament proved that when they are at their best, they can beat anyone in the league. That has kept their odds strong for futures bets even though their record is that of a fringe playoff team.
- Lakers odds to win NBA Championship (+1600)
- Lakers odds to win Western Conference (+800)
- Lakers odds to win Pacific Division (+475)
- Lebron James odds to win MVP (+8000)
- Anthony Davis odds to win MVP (+8000)
Celtics vs. Lakers prediction: Thrilling game comes down to the wire
The Lakers have proven this season that they can find ways to win in the fourth quarter of important games. While the Celtics have the better record, they have dominated many opponents because of their superior depth. On a day when each team should have their full rosters available and no one resting, the matchup should be much closer. If it comes down to a few crucial possessions late in the game, the Lakers may have the edge, winning a tight contest just like they had to do several times during the in-season tournament.
Pick: Lakers
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