On Sunday evening in Los Angeles, one of the NBA’s most celebrated rivalries adds another chapter as the Boston Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Both franchises have dealt with injuries so far this year, but this is the healthiest both teams have been all season. Before the two winningest teams in NBA history face off, you can find my Celtics vs Lakers prediction below.
Our Celtics vs Lakers Pick
Pick: Lakers ML ATS PRO
Confidence: 2 out of 5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers
Date & Time: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 6:30 PM ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: NBC
Key Storylines
The Celtics are winning at a strong clip with four victories in their last five games, including a big defensive effort against the Warriors in their last game.
The Lakers have been inconsistent but get elite production from Luka Dončić and LeBron James. The Lakers have won two games in a row and could end the day in the top four in the Western Conference standings.
The storied Celtics–Lakers rivalry always brings extra intensity and pressure, particularly in LA. It will be interesting to see what the energy in that building looks like on Sunday.
Key Players
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown – Leads the team at 29.2 PPG and contributes on the glass. His scoring consistency makes him a key engine for Boston’s offense.
Derrick White – One of Boston’s top three-point threats at 2.8 makes per game, helping space the floor for Boston's offense.
Nikola Vucevic – Leads the team in rebounds at 8.9 per game, anchoring Boston’s presence inside and aiding in defensive rebounding since being traded to Boston from the Chicago Bulls.
Payton Pritchard – Provides punch off the bench and has shown the ability to take over from the perimeter during stretches.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Dončić – NBA scoring leader at 32.8 PPG with strong all-around numbers that include 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists. He is the centerpiece of the Lakers' offense.
LeBron James – Continues to be a key contributor at 20.7 PPG with veteran leadership. His ability to penetrate, facilitate, and rebound keeps the Lakers competitive.
Deandre Ayton – Top rebounder for the Lakers at 8.4 per game, and provides interior scoring and rim protection.
Marcus Smart – Offers defensive versatility and will be tasked with disrupting Boston scorers. He has a ton of familiarity with the Celtics after spending most of his career in Boston.
Stat Comparison
Statistic
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Points per game
115.4
116.2
Points allowed per game
108.4
116.1
Team Field Goal %
47%
50%
Rebounds per game
45.6
40.9
Assists per game
24.2
25.4
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
Boston beat the Lakers by 21 points in Boston in the first meeting of the season between these teams.
The Celtics are 31-24 against the spread going into this matchup.
The Lakers hold a 30-25 record against the spread entering Sunday's game.
Celtics vs Lakers Model Projection
Score Projection: Boston 115 – Los Angeles 117 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Boston 47%, Los Angeles 53% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
This is going to be an incredibly tight game between two teams with legitimate championship aspirations this year. I lean toward the Lakers as a team that should win this game outright as a slight underdog, as they have their big three on the floor together, while Boston is still hurting from the absence of Jayson Tatum despite their strong record for the season.
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