Get expert LA Lakers vs. BOS Celtics NBA on Prime Video insights for 12.05.2025. Preview odds, injuries, and key matchups before making your NBA picks.
Celtics vs. Lakers TONIGHT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/kLghumWtx2
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 5, 2025
When: Friday, December 5, 2025 — 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden — Boston, MA
TV: Amazon Prime Video, SportsNet LA
Spread: Boston Celtics –6.5
O/U: 224.5 points
Moneyline: LAL +220 / BOS –275
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Game Day Preview
One of basketball’s oldest rivalries takes center stage tonight at TD Garden as the Boston Celtics (13–9) host the LA Lakers (16–5) in a high-stakes December matchup. Both teams sit near the top of their respective conferences and enter on strong form, but each is missing major pieces — Luka Dončić is out for Los Angeles, while Boston remains without Jayson Tatum and may again be without Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
The Lakers arrive with momentum, riding a dramatic buzzer-beating win over Toronto fueled by a 44-point performance from Austin Reaves. Boston, meanwhile, has won three straight and just crushed Washington behind stellar contributions from its deep guard rotation. With both teams leaning on depth, playmaking, and defensive toughness, tonight’s matchup should deliver a competitive, high-scoring contest — the type of heavyweight clash fans expect whenever these franchises meet.
Los Angeles Lakers
2025 Record: 16–5 (2nd Western Conference)
2025 Road Record: 9–2
StatementGames NBA Power Ranking: 7
The LA Lakers continue to perform like one of the top teams in the league, entering tonight’s matchup with a 16–5 record and riding momentum from a dramatic 123–120 win over Toronto. That victory featured Rui Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three off a LeBron James assist — a play that also marked the end of LeBron’s historic 1,297-game streak of double-digit scoring. Despite scoring only eight points, his decision to make the extra pass earned praise from head coach JJ Redick, who said, “The Basketball Gods… they reward you” when you make the right play.
The biggest storyline for Los Angeles is the continued absence of Luka Dončić, who is away from the team for personal reasons with no definitive return date. Dončić is one of the team’s top scorers this season, and without him, Austin Reaves has taken on a massive offensive role — highlighted by his explosive 44-point, 10-assist performance on Thursday. Redick confirmed Marcus Smart remains sidelined with back spasms, while the rest of the roster looks to maintain the Lakers’ strong early-season rhythm.
Even without Dončić and Smart, the Lakers’ combination of Reaves’ scoring surge, LeBron’s playmaking control, and a deep supporting cast has kept them competitive in every matchup. Their 9–2 road record suggests they won’t be an easy underdog tonight, even against a surging Boston team at home.
INSANE FACT: Before tonight, the last time LeBron didn’t score in double-digits was when he scored 8 PTS on January 5th, 2007.
That same night, Kobe scored 8 PTS, had double-digit assists, and the Lakers scored 123 PTS in the win.
Tonight, LeBron scored 8 PTS, had double-digit… pic.twitter.com/hvfmfcYlQj
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) December 5, 2025
Boston Celtics
2025 Record: 13–9 (5th Eastern Conference)
2025 Home Record: 7-4
StatementGames NBA Power Ranking: 14
The Boston Celtics have battled adversity all season but continue to find ways to win. With Jayson Tatum out indefinitely after Achilles surgery, head coach Joe Mazzulla has relied on creativity, defensive versatility, and a deep rotation to stay near the top of the East. Boston has won three straight, including a dominant 146–101 rout of the Washington Wizards that showcased breakout performances from young contributors such as Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta.
Jaylen Brown (illness) and Marcus Smart (back) both missed Thursday’s game, and their status is uncertain for tonight. Mazzulla’s recent comments emphasized accountability and execution, saying “Fun is a cop-out sometimes when things aren’t going well,” while praising Walsh’s playmaking and defensive activity. Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, and Boston’s guards will be central to countering the Lakers’ paint-heavy attack.
Even without their stars, the Celtics’ balanced scoring, strong perimeter defense, and TD Garden energy make them a justified favorite in this rivalry matchup.
Celtics will wear their Association jerseys (7-2) tonight vs LA (Lakers) pic.twitter.com/mLs2B73Sbu
— What are the Celtics wearing tonight? (@CelticsUniforms) December 5, 2025
Lakers vs. Celtics Facts
- The LA Lakers are 8–1 SU in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 straight Lakers games.
- Boston is 6–0 ATS in its last 6 games.
- Boston is 5–1 SU in its last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of the last 15 Lakers–Celtics meetings.
LA Lakers vs. BOS Celtics Alternative Fantasy Basketball Picks
The 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing! Think you can predict what happens next? Play our NBA Player Prop Gaming system today — free to test and powered by the patented StatementGames platform. Join the testing community today and start Making Picks!
NBA Amazon Prime Basketball “StatementGames” PREDICTIONS – Diamonds In The Rough:
- Los Angeles Lakers OVER 108 PTS
- Boston Celtics Will WIN By OVER 7 PTS
- Austin REaves OVER 24.5 PT
