Lakers vs Celtics Odds, Player Props & Predictions (March 8)

• The Boston Celtics are 7-point home favorites when they host the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night
• Los Angeles is on a season-high 8-game win streak
• See the Lakers vs Celtics predictions, player props, and odds on March 8

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It’s a potential dream NBA Finals matchup Saturday night when the Boston Celtics (45-18, 21-11 home) host the surging Los Angeles Lakers (40-21, 15-14 away). LA is rolling, ripping off eight straight wins while incorporating all-world Luka Doncic into their lineup.

Boston is still a considerable favorite in the NBA odds, as they defending champs have just two losses in their last 11. Action tips off from TD Garden in Boston at 8:30 pm ET, with ABC/ESPN+ carrying the broadcast.

Lakers vs Celtics Odds

Boston is a hefty 7-point home favorite, and a short -240 on the moneyline. The total comes it at 225.5, a figure these teams have failed to cross the last two meetings, both Lakers wins.

Odds as of March 8 at FanDuel. Be sure to check out the best FanDuel promo code before placing a bet on any NBA game on Saturday night.

As is the usual custom, LeBron James (foot) is on the Lakers’ injured list, but he, along with Luka Doncic (knee), are both listed as probable. More concerning is big man Jaxson Hayes (knee) who is listed as questionable, while Rui Hachimura (knee) remains out.

Boston has some notable contributors on its injury list, too. Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jrue Holiday (finger) and Sam Hauser (ankle) are all listed as questionable.

LAL vs BOS Player Props

NBA player props from DraftKings on March 8.

Looks like Luka Doncic has settled right in as the Lakers’ lead star. He’s got the highest-scoring prop of any player Saturday at 28.5 points. Doncic has scored at least 29 in four straight contests. He also leads all players with a high of 8.5 assists. Luka has dropped 27 dimes in his last two games, and has topped this total in three straight.

Luka with the moonshot in OT! pic.twitter.com/MlylTwP501

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 7, 2025

Jayson Tatum has the scoring high for Boston at 26.5, with Jaylen Brown in at 22.5. Tatum and LA’s LeBron James share the highest rebounding total of 8.5.

Boston has been bombs away from three-point range all season, so it’s no surprise Tatum and Derrick White each have a 3-point make line of 3.5, tied with Doncic.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Picks

• Lakers vs Celtics pick: Lakers +7 (-112)
• Lakers vs Celtics prop bet: Doncic Over 8.5 assists (+114)

Lakers vs Celtics Predictions

This has the potential to be one of the great regular season matchups of the season, as Doncic gets a shot at the same team that dumped him in the Finals just last season, when he was still a Dallas Maverick.

Doncic has had a couple of clunkers since coming over from that still-shocking trade, adjusting to his new teammates and getting back into game shape after missing so much time with a calf injury.

Still, the Lakers are 8-2 in the 10 games he’s been on the floor, as the Lakers — with a rejuvenated LeBron James as well — have moved all the way to the 2-seed in the West.

LEBRON JAMES OVER THE LAST 8 GAMES:

40 PTS – 8 REB – 4 AST
25 PTS – 9 REB – 5 AST
27 PTS – 12 REB – 3 AST
33 PTS – 17 REB – 6 AST
28 PTS – 13 REB – 3 AST
17 PTS – 5 REB – 9 AST
34 PTS – 8 REB – 6 AST
31 PTS – 12 REB – 8 AST pic.twitter.com/x5MiGq7jnU

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 7, 2025

Luka appears to be in good form now, though, coming off his best game as a Laker, putting up 32 points, seven boards, and 12 assists in a 113-109 OT win over the Knicks.

Boston has won three straight, including a 123-105 win last time out over the hapless 76ers, moving them to 45-18 on the year as they try to chase down the Cavaliers at the top of the East.

The Celtics should be fully engaged for this one, not only because it’s the Lakers, but also because LA smacked Boston 117-96 in their only other meeting of the season.

3️⃣0️⃣ BALL pic.twitter.com/yDf2heMqcr

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 7, 2025

Los Angeles’ most surprising stat is the fact their defense has held, even with the loss of all-defensive team stalwart Anthony Davis. Over the last 10 games, the Lakers are first in defensive rating, and they’ll be tested by the Celtics, who are fourth in offensive rating over that same span.

Perhaps the loss of Hayes is weighing on the minds of the books, and they believe this Lakers’ D is smoke and mirrors.

But that’s a pretty hefty spread, begging me to take those points. The Lakers are 7-1-0 against the spread in their last eight games, and Boston is just 14-18-0 ATS as a home favorite this year.

The Doncic factor looms over all Saturday. Win or lose, Luka keeps this one close.