Following a five-game Thursday night slate, the NBA is back in full force with a whopping 12 games on Friday. Out of the dozen contests entering the weekend, the tried and true Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry sits at the forefront.
Friday’s bout (7:00 p.m. on Prime Video) features a pair of projected playoff teams. Even with multiple stars missing the outing, there’s still ample firepower on either side.
Below, we’ll break down a Lakers vs. Celtics prediction and picks to consider for Friday night’s game. Use PrizePicks NBA to make player picks and win money if you’re right.
Lakers vs. Celtics Prediction, Preview for Friday, 12/5
Friday marks the 303rd time the Lakers and Celtics will meet in the regular season. Boston, the host, owns a 167-135 series advantage dating all the way back to 1948.
As far as injuries are concerned, Los Angeles will be without G Luka Doncic (personal) and G Marcus Smart (back) on Friday. For the Celtics, it’s no surprise that F Jayson Tatum (Achilles) remains out.
The Lakers enter Friday’s game as 7.5-point road underdogs, returning a 2.77x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Celtics are home favorites with a 1.38x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Boston Celtics -7.5
- Total: 227.5
- Game Winner Payout: Lakers 2.77x | Celtics 1.38x
All payouts listed are at the time of writing and are subject to change.
Los Angeles Lakers Preview vs. Celtics
Last season, the Lakers’ trade for Doncic put a spotlight on their 50-win campaign. Unfortunately for then-first-year head coach JJ Redick, his team lost in the first round of the playoffs.
This year, Los Angeles is off to a roaring 16-5 start, including an impressive 9-2 road record.
The Lakers boast a top-10 offense in overall scoring (119.2 points per game) and paint production (53.0 PPG).
While unspectacular as a whole, L.A.’s defense ranks 15th in scoring (116.0 PPG) and is second in average opponent points in the fourth quarter (26).
Boston Celtics Preview vs. Lakers
Attempting to defend their NBA title, the Celtics went 61-21 last season. In addition to losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Tatum went down with the aforementioned injury.
Boston is off to a 13-9 start to this year, including a 9-3 record since going 4-6 in their first 10 games.
Even without Tatum, the Celtics boast the fifth-best average scoring margin (+6.0) in the NBA. They’re also fourth in 3-pointers made per game at 15.4.
Defensively is where Boston shines, ranking third in opponent scoring (110.7 PPG), second in the paint (41.4 PPG), and fifth in fastbreak scenarios (14.0 PPG).
Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three top Lakers vs. Celtics picks to target on Friday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by SG Austin Reaves, C Deandre Ayton, and F/G Jaylen Brown.
Lakers SG Austin Reaves vs. Celtics Projection: 41.5 Pts + Asts
- Reaves averages 35.7 combined points and assists on the year, with that number rising to 37.8 in his last five games.
- Despite his assist average, per databallr, Reaves’ 12.9 potential assists per 100 put him in just the 27th percentile.
- Via FantasyPros, the Celtics give up the second-lowest per-game fantasy output to the SG position (37.41 points).
- Boston ranks sixth in fewest assists afforded per game with 25.2.
Lakers C Deandre Ayton vs. Celtics Projection: 27.5 Pts + Rebs
- Ayton averages 24.4 points and rebounds per game. In four of his last eight games, though, he’s cleared the 30 mark.
- The former No. 1 overall pick’s 71.7 true shooting percentage is tied for sixth in the league.
- Among players with 15+ games this year, Ayton is in the top 20 in rebound chances per game at 15.6.
- The Celtics are in the top 10 in most points (23.05) and rebounds (14.89) allowed per game to the C position.
Celtics F/G Jaylen Brown vs. Lakers Projection: 41 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Brown’s combined point, rebound, and assist average for the year is 39.8. In his last eight games, that spikes to 45.7.
- Per NBARAPM, Brown’s 36.7 true shot attempts per 100 put him in the 100th percentile leaguewide.
- With a 13.2% defensive rebounding rate, Brown is in the 64th percentile.
- Brown’s on-ball percentage (27), assists per 100 (7.1), and potential assists per 100 (13.7) are all career-high marks.
Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks
Lakers vs. Celtics isn’t the only avenue basketball fans have to make NBA picks. With PrizePicks, you can win real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right.
Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA coverage and analysis all season.
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