Key Points
- SJ breaks down her best bets for the Saturday, March 8 matchup featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics
It's Saturday, and there's a high-stakes matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers (40-21, 15-14 away) and the Boston Celtics (45-18, 21-11 home).
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A long-standing rivalry for decades, the Lakers and Celtics have met in the NBA Finals 12 times. Two of the most pristine franchises in NBA history, they have a combined 35 championships.
Set to face for the second and final time this season, the rivalry will look vastly different. The beginning of a new era, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum, will highlight the next phase of the rivalry.
No. 2 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference, we saw the Lakers defeat the Celtics 117-96 in January. Fueled by Anthony Davis and Austin Reeves, the Lakers dominated in every facet. That includes three-point shooting, rebounds, assists, and paint points.
Odds Are Current As Of March 8 AT 11 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on the Lakers vs Celtics showdown, you are in the right place! What's better than a showdown featuring Luka Doncic and LeBron James vs the reigning champs?
It's important to note, the Lakers and Celtics have several players listed on the injury report, which may play a factor in betting on tonight's matchup.
Set to air on ABC/ ESPN+ this is a matchup you don't want to miss. With tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. ET, the outing will take place at the TD Garden.
Tonight will feature one of the most exciting and anticipated matchups ahead vs the gold and green. With that, let's look to stay hot and in the green!
Here are my tip player prop and best bets for today's matchup between the lakers and Celtics!
Are you looking to bet on NBA player props? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
NBA Best Bets: New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers FanDuel Betting Odds For March 8
MONEYLINE
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: +235
- BOSTON CELTICS:-290
SPREAD
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: +7.5 (-112)
- BOSTON CELTICS: -7.5 (-108)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 227.5 (-110)
- UNDER: 227.5 (-110)
Last Five H2H Matchups: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics
- January 23, 2025: Lakers 117, Celtics 96 (LA +6.5, under 218.5)
- February 1, 2024: Lakers 114, Celtics 105 (LA +15, under 238)
- December 25, 2o23: Celtics 126, Lakers 115 (Boston -5, over 235)
- January 28, 2023: Celtics 125, Lakers 121 OT (LA +8.5, over 234)
- December 13, 2022: Celtics 122, Lakers 118 OT (Boston -3.5, over 235)
Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Injury Report
LAKERS
- Luka Doncic: PG (Questionable)
- LeBron James: SF (Questionable)
- Jaxson Hayes, C: (Questionable)
- Rui Hachimura, SF: (OUT)
- Maxi Kleber, PF: (OUT)
CELTICS
- Sam Hauser, SF: Questionable)
- Jrue Holiday, PG: (Questionable)
- Drew Peeterson, F: (Questionable)
- Kristaps Porzingis, C: (Questionable)
Best Spread Bet: Lakers vs Celtics
Lakers ATS Record: 35-25-1
Celtics ATS Record: 28-34-1
- Lakers: +7.5 (-110 FanDuel)
As someone who grew up a Celtics fan, I am giving all the praise to the Lakers. Today, I have them to cover the +7.5 underdog spread vs the Celtics.
There is a big possibility the Lakers could be without their two biggest stars, LeBron James and Luka Doncic. For the Celtics, they have a long list of questionable players, including Kristaps Porzingis.
After the Lakers dominated the Celtics, I will never bet against them again. Mind you, this was prior to the Luka Doncic trade.
Sure, the Lakers play the Celtics on the road. However, how can I fade a team that's won eight straight. Really, 7.5 point underdogs?
Even with a thin front court, the Lakers are for real. Now the no.2 seed in the West, we saw LeBron's and Luka's dominant performance vs the Knicks. Down 13, it was 63 combined points from both stars that fueled them to the overtime victory.
That marks five straight games the Lakers have covered the spread, one of which came as the underdogs vs the Clippers. They've also performed well as an underdog, compiling a 15-9 against the spread record.
I do think +7.5 is a bit large and disrespectful for a team who's shown nothing but dominance as of late.
The Lakers Defense Is A Huge Reason Why They Can Cover vs The Celtics
Since Luka Doncic's Lakers debut, LA has soared to no.1 in defensive rating (106.9). Over their win streak, they hold a point differential of +82, which equates to a +10.25 point margin over that span.
In the Luka Doncic era, the Lakers are holding opponents to 97.5 points per game. With this, we saw the Knicks shoot well under 40 percent from the field and three-point range. Similar were the Clippers, who shot 43 percent from the floor vs LA.
Since the trade deadline, we've seen the Lakers defeat top teams, and by large margins. With a gutsy win over the No. 3 Knicks, we can't forget about their 23 point triumph over the Nuggets. Defeating the Clippers in back-t0-back games, I cant understand why the point spread margin is so high today?
9-2 in the last 11 games, the Lakers are putting up the fourth most three-points in the NBA with 42.4 per game. LA will most likely need this, given the Celtics put up the most deep shots of any team.
Even without Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes is holding his own, and the defensive is firing on all cylinders.
I'm not knocking the Celtics, who are fresh off three straight wins, and are 8-2 over the last 10 games. With that, they've covered considerable large point spreads vs Portland and Philadelphia. As elite as they've been, the Celtics have their flaws.
14-18 against the spread at home, the Celtics haven't fared well covering when favored. With a 27-31-3 record, this is a Boston team that has a +100 point differential over the last 10 games.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 (-110 FanDuel)
The Celtics have been excellent, ranking no. 3 in offensive and no. 5 in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Given both the Lakers and Celtics are top 10 in those categories, it should be a close one tonight. One of the hottest teams beyond the arc as of late, this version of the Lakers matches up extremely well with Boston.
Today, I'm taking the Lakers to cover the +7.5 point spread as underdogs vs the Celtics. I'm based my prediction and best bet off Porzingis, Doncic, and James becoming active.
Player Prop Best Bet #1: Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 18.9 | FG: 47.4 % | FT: 81.3 % | 3PT : 40.3 % | REB: 6.8 | AST: 1.9 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 1.6
- Over 18.5 Points (-120 FanDuel)
One of my favorite player props for today, I placed one unit on Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis to record over 18.5 points vs the Lakers for -120 odds.
Yes, Porzingis has battled an illness as of late, however, he's stated his intention is to play today. With that said, it's unclear if Joe Mazzulla will keep him at a minutes restriction. Unknown if at full strength, I can't see Mazzulla limiting Porzingis in one of the biggest matchups of the season.
This is a perfect opportunity for Porzingis to take advantage of the Lakers limited front court depth. I'm not knocking on Jaxson Hayes, however, he's not a rim protector they had in Anthony Davis. A player that draws the fouls from the elbow yet stretch the floor is exactly what the Celtics will need tonight.
With the player prop line set at 18.5 points, Porzingis has soared under in the last three games. With that, there wasn't a reason for Mazzulla to keep him in the game. In fact, he poured in 11, 15, and 17 points in blowout victories over the Knicks, and 76ers. Defeated 117-97 by the Pistons, that won't be the case today.
Tonight's matchup will be much closer than anticipated, and the Celtics will get Porzingis who hasn't played since February 26. With plenty of rest, Boston will need him down the stretch. With that, we saw Porzingis log 35 points in the Celtics 112-105 victory over the Cavaliers. There's a direct correction with minutes and close games.
Kristaps Porzingis Should Feast Against The Lakers Without Anthony Davis
While we haven't seen Porzingis in quite some time, the Latvian native was on a tear. Averaging 17.8 points over the last 10 games, Porzingis was shooting 48.5 percent from the field, and 39.3 percent from three. Recording 19+ points just three times over the last 10 games, I love the matchup today.
Although this Lakers roster is vastly different from years past, Porzingis loves to cook up against LA. Averaging 22.4 points over the last eight matchups, we saw Porzingis explode for 22 points against the Lakers in January.
Leading all Celtics with 22 points, Porzingis logged 25 minutes with 9-16 field goal shooting. Without an elite rim protector, I fully expect Porzingis to space the floor and take advantage of the mismatches.
Today should be a favorable matchup for the big man, who averaged 20.4 points at home this season. Although the Lakers defense has much improved, they allow 20 points per game to opposing centers.
While Hayes possesses the height and length, we recently saw Zion Williamson (37) and Kawhi Leonard explode for 30+ points vs the Lakers. The third leading scorer for the Celtics, this is a great spot for him today.
- I'm taking Kristaps Porzingis to record over 18.5 points vs the Lakers today.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Dalton Knecht
Dalton Knecht 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 9.1 | FG: 46.3 % | FT: 75.1 % | 3PT : 36.4 % | REB: 2.9| AST: 0.8 | STL: 0.4 | BLK: 0.1
- Over 6.5 Points (-125 FanDuel)
My third best bet and player prop for today, I placed one unit on Dalton Knecht to recover over 6.5 points vs the Celtics.
After a confusing NBA trade deadline, Knecht is fully back with the Lakers. I personally think this player prop line is a tad low, especially considering Knecht has been a fixture for the Lakers as of late.
Averaging 9.5 points per game, we've seen Knecht pour in 11,13, and 19 points over the last three games vs the Knicks, Pelicans, and Clippers. This isn't a drill folks. If Knecht logged 25 minutes in a close game against the Clippers, why wouldn't Redick utlilize him today.
There's no doubt Knecht's minutes and production have been a bit volatile over the season, However, March is the most consistency we've seen. Arguably one of the biggest steals of the draft, he's averaged 24 minutes in March. With that, Knecht is averaging 14.3 points on 47.6 percent three-point shooting.
A certified sniper, Knecht and the Lakers will need all the three-point shooting they can get against the Celtics. Notching 13 points in 14 vs the Celtics in January, he is poised for a bigger role today. Especially given Rui Hamichmura is out with injury. Knecht could be in line for a bigger role with a potentially thin rotation.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Dalton Knecht Over 6.5 Points (-125 FanDuel)
I do believe a majority of these points can come from three-pointers alone. With that said, Knecht has proven time and time again why he's leader in the Lakers second unit. In fact, he was a crucial x-factor in the Lakers overtime win against the Knicks. Is it time for JJ Redick to unleash the secret weapon in Knecht?
Without Hachimura, Knecht has soared over this player prop line in 9/11 games. With that said, he's averaging well over 14 points a game without Rui.
- I'll take Dalton Knecht to record over 6.5 points against the Celtics today.
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