Despite significant roster turnover and playing much of the season without star forward Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics remain a top NBA Bets contender. Boston is trailing only the Detroit Pistons in the standings. Namely, Jaylen Brown has emerged as a top MVP candidate this season, averaging 29.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 4.7 APG. He served as a starter for Team USA Stripes in the new 2026 All-Star round-robin format. He led them to two narrow wins before falling to Team Stars in the final.
Under second-year head coach JJ Redick, the Los Angeles Lakers have leaned into a high-powered offense featuring the superstar trio of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. However, injuries have limited the three to just 10 games together this season.
An NBC prime-time matchup between two of the greatest legacy franchises in the NBA means a stampede of betting activity and viewership.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Sunday, February 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Celtics at Lakers Betting Odds Analysis
Jaylen Brown dealt with left hamstring tightness and right knee soreness in early February. That caused him to miss a matchup against the Rockets. However, he returned to the lineup before the break.
The Lakers expect to be fully healthy for the first time this season once play resumes. First, Luka Dončić is expected to return for the Feb 20 game against the Clippers after missing four straight games with a right hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, LeBron James is dealing with left foot arthritis. But he is no longer on the injury report and played in the 2026 All-Star Game. DeAndre Ayton is projected to return around Feb 20 from a knee problem.
Boston Celtics Team Overview
The Boston Celtics are 35-19 straight up, 30-23-1 against the spread, and 20-34 over/under the sports betting total. Late on, Boston has covered five out of their last seven games. The Celtics have gone under the total in nine of their previous 10 matchups. In turn, Boston is 2nd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Boston is 5.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston ranks 17th in scoring offense, 17th in field goal percentage, 11th in 3-point field goal percentage, 11th in free throw percentage, and 8th in offensive rebounding. In turn, the Celtics rank 2nd in scoring defense, 3rd in field goal percentage allowed, 17th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 7th in defensive rebounding.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Overview
The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-21 straight up, 29-24-1 against the spread, and 30-24 over/under the NBA betting total. Late on, Los Angeles has covered four of its last six games. At the same time, the Lakers have gone under the total in three of their previous five matchups. In sum, Los Angeles is 5th in the Western Conference playoff standings. Los Angeles is eight games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.
Overall, Los Angeles ranks 14th in scoring offense, 1st in field goal percentage, 20th in 3-point field goal percentage, 24th in free throw percentage, and 28th in offensive rebounding. The Lakers rank 18th in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage allowed, 21st in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 3rd in defensive rebounding.
Celtics at Lakers Betting Trends
Boston covered the spread in their last two meetings with the Lakers. Additionally, Los Angeles got the money in only four of its last 14 games with the Celtics. Three of the last four games between the Celtics and Lakers went under the total. Specifically in Los Angeles, the Lakers covered the spread in only two of their last seven games with the Celtics. Six of the last eight games between the Celtics and Lakers in Los Angeles went over the total.
Celtics at Lakers Free SBG Picks
The Lakers have been dominant at home, winning 17 of their last 25 games at Crypto.com Arena. Luka Dončić and LeBron James are expected to play. To conclude, Los Angeles’ high-powered offense (led by Dončić’s league-leading 32.8 PPG) should outpace a Celtics team missing Jayson Tatum.
Celtics at Lakers SBG Best Bet: Los Angeles Lakers.