All the stars align as the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers renew their storied rivalry at Crypto.com Arena on NBA Christmas Day. With a combined 34 championships between them, the Celtics and Lakers are set to showcase their elite talent in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Led by veterans LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers (15-14) will face off against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Celtics (22-6). Both teams have been formidable this season, making their clash even more captivating. Boston, currently favored by 5 points according to the SportsLine consensus, enters the game in top form, having won seven of their last eight matchups. Meanwhile, the Lakers are seeking to bounce back after losing four of their past five games.

When it comes to head-to-head encounters, the Celtics seem to have the upper hand in recent history. They have emerged victorious in both meetings against the Lakers last season, winning by four points in each game, with one going into overtime.

Boston's success can be attributed to their strong defense, allowing just 109.8 points per game, which ranks third in the league. Their opponents have struggled to shoot efficiently, with a field goal percentage of only 44.7%, the fourth-lowest in the NBA. Offensively, Tatum leads the charge with an impressive average of 26.8 points per game, while Brown contributes 22.7 points. Their combined prowess has propelled the Celtics to have the sixth-best offense in the league, scoring an average of 118.9 points per game.

While the Lakers have faced some recent setbacks, they possess two all-star players in James and Davis who are capable of turning the tide. Both players are currently listed as questionable due to ankle injuries but are expected to make an impact in this marquee matchup. Davis, specifically, led the Lakers to victory in the NBA In-Season Tournament last month, displaying his dominance with a remarkable 41-point, 20-rebound performance in the final game. James, named the tournament MVP, has been a consistent scoring threat throughout the season, averaging 25.2 points per game.

The Lakers will look to exploit the Celtics' weakness defending the perimeter, as Boston ranks 16th in opponent 3-point percentage (37.1%). With players like Davis, James, and D'Angelo Russell, who averages 6.3 assists per game, the Lakers have the offensive firepower to exploit this vulnerability.

SportsLine's advanced computer model, known for its accurate predictions, has generated its picks for this highly anticipated game. The model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has a strong track record, returning over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons.

According to the model's analysis, it predicts the total points scored to be under 227, indicating a defensive battle between the Celtics and Lakers. The model also believes that one side of the spread has a significant advantage, hitting it well over 60% of the time. For more detailed insights and predictions, interested fans can visit SportsLine.

As NBA fans prepare to celebrate Christmas with basketball, the showdown between the Celtics and Lakers is undoubtedly the highlight of the day. With legacies and championship aspirations on the line, this matchup promises to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing Celtics-Lakers rivalry.