Welcome to our Lakers vs Celtics predictions today and NBA free expert picks for Friday, December 5th! Our basketball analysts bring you the best Thunder-Mavericks props and betting angles to consider.
Let’s examine Friday’s matchup closer.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Prediction, Props & Picks Today (Dec. 5)
Will Luka play tonight–the night after LeBron failed to score 10 points?
Lakers vs Celtics Odds
Looking for betting odds for this slate?
- Spread: Celtics -6.5
- Moneyline: Boston -230 (available at time of publishing)
- Game Total: 225.5 (subject to change)
How to Watch Lakers vs Celtics Friday
- When: Friday, December 5, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA
- Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Lakers Prediction and Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be without Luka Doncic and LeBron James tonight. This is going to open an elite amount of usage for the rest of the rotation. It’ll also open plenty of minutes.
Austin Reaves is going to take on the massive role that he saw earlier in the season. He’s the new focal point of the team, and he’s going to have the green light to do anything he wants.
We’re also expected to get 30+ minutes from Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Jake LaRavia. All three are solid options in this situation, but Ayton sticks out the most. Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht are also likely to find some minutes.
Celtics Prediction and Preview
The Boston Celtics have a fairly specific rotation, although Jaylen Brown is questionable tonight. I’d expect him to play, but it’s something to monitor.
Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Brown are the main focal points of the offense. They’ll soak up usage and minutes, and they all come with incredible upside.
Neemias Queta is finding solid minutes at center, but he needs others to create for him. Jordan Walsh has also worked his way into bigger minutes at power forward. Finally, Anfernee Simons is playing his sixth-man role off the bench. Sam Hauser and Josh Minott will also find minutes, but they’ll see limited roles.
Lakers vs Celtics Props and Picks Today
There are plenty of Los Angeles vs Boston player props to choose from on Underdog for Friday night’s slate of games. Let’s dive into the Lakers vs Celtics predictions!
Austin Reaves Player Props – Higher Than 47.5 PRA
Reaves is in the midst of an outstanding season for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he’s been unbelievable with Luka Doncic and LeBron James out of the lineup. Both of those players are doubtful to suit up tonight.
In four games without the two “stars,” Reaves is averaging 41.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in 39.7 minutes per game. He’s posted 48+ PRA in three of those four games, and his only miss was 45 PRA.
Derrick White Player Props – Higher Than 5.5 Assists
White hasn’t been as good as most people were expecting this season. He’s still a focal point in the offense, and he comes with plenty of upside as a facilitator. Overall, he’s averaging 5.3 assists on 9.4 potential assists per game this season.
The veteran gets a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. They’re giving up the seventh-most assists (9.0) per game to opposing point guards this season. White boasts more than enough upside to beat this number.
Jaylen Brown Player Props – Higher Than 29.5 Points
Brown has looked elite for the Boston Celtics without Jayson Tatum this season. He’s averaging 29.0 points on 21.7 FGA, 5.9 3PA, and 6.9 FTA in 33.4 minutes per game. He’s quietly scored 30+ points in four of his last five games, including a pair with 40+ points.
Boston’s star will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. They’ve been the worst defense in the NBA against scoring small forwards in 2025. The Lakers are giving up a league-high 26.2 points per game to the position, and Brown comes with 40+ point upside in this matchup.
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