BOSTON – Storied franchises collide as LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers against Jayson Tatum and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics today – Saturday, March 8 – at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. This NBA matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
Lakers vs. Celtics will broadcast live on ABC at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. NBA fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream and FuboTV ($20 off first month), which both offer free trials.
Sling TV has promotional offers for new customers.
You can get a subscription to ESPN Plus for $11.99 per month. Another option is to sign up for an annual subscription for $119.99, which saves about 17% off compared to the monthly route.
The Lakers (40-21) are sizzling with eight straight victories, including 14 of their last 16. Los Angeles is coming off a 113-109 overtime victory over the New York Knicks on March 6. They battled back from a double-digit deficit in that triumph. The Lakers are currently tied with the Denver Nuggets for second in the Western Conference standings. Los Angeles maintains a six-game lead in the Pacific Division on the Golden State Warriors.
Surprisingly, they have done it with their defense. In the last 10 games, the Lakers (107.1) are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best defensive rating in the NBA.
James is averaging 25.1 points, 8.5 assists and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 51.8% from the field, including 39.1% from beyond the arc. He is considered probable for the matchup with foot injury management.
Doncic touts 26.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists while shooting 44.5% from the field. In ten games with the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 23.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists. He averages 29.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 11 career games against the Celtics.
The Slovenian superstar is probable with a knee injury. If he plays, it will be his first game against the Celtics in a Lakers uniform.
The duo of James and Doncic played a combined 87 minutes in the win over the Knicks.
Shooting guard Austin Reaves is averaging 18.9 points, 5.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 44.2% from the field, including 35.8% from beyond the arc. In Reaves’ first game back since Feb. 28, he struggled mightily against the Knicks, finishing with eight points on 2 of 13 from the field, including just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Watch Lakers vs. Celtics for free on DirecTV Stream
The Celtics (45-18) have won three straight, including nine of their last 11 games. Boston is coming off a 123-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on March 6. They are currently second in the Eastern Conference standings, eight games behind the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston split the season series with the Cavs, 2-2.
Boston holds a five-game lead over the Knicks in the Atlantic Division.
The Celtics offense touts a 119.2 offensive rating, which is the third-highest in the league.
Tatum is one half of a two-headed attack, averaging 26.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field. Jaylen Brown makes up the other half, boasting 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field.
Tatum is averaging 23.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 15 career games against the Lakers.
Power forward Kristaps Porzingis packs a punch with 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field, including 40.3% from beyond the arc. Porzingis is questionable for tonight’s contest with an illness.
With Cleveland and Oklahoma City firmly ahead of them in the conference standings, could tonight’s two-seed showdown be a preview of the NBA Finals?
It’s the 375th meeting all-time between the two teams. The Celtics hold the advantage, 209-166.
Watch Lakers vs. Celtics for free on FuboTV
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Lakers-Celtics Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James (left foot injury management) and Luka Doncic (right knee contusion) are both probable.
Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion) is questionable.
Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy), Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery recovery) and Bronny James (G-League on assignment) are all out.
Boston Celtics: JD Davison (G-League two-way), Miles Norris (G-League two-way) and Drew Peterson (G-League two-way) are all out.
Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jrue Holiday (right hand mallet finger) and Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) are all questionable.
What are the latest odds for Lakers vs. Celtics?
Moneyline: LAL: (+230), BOS: (-285)
Spread: LAL: +7.5, BOS: -7.5
Over/Under: 227.5
Here’s more information on how to watch Lakers-Celtics on TV or streaming services:
What: NBA basketball: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
When: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Where: TD Garden | Boston, Mass.
Channel: ABC
Best streaming options: DirecTV Stream (free trial), FuboTV (free trial and $20 off first month), Sling TV (half off first month) and ESPN Plus
Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios
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