After a two-day break, the Boston Celtics (13-11, 13-10-1 ATS) travel to California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (12-12, 8-16 ATS) tonight. Boston beat up on the Lakers just a couple of weeks ago, stomping them 130-108. This will be the last Celtics vs. Lakers game at STAPLES Center before the name officially changes.
According to the online sports book Betonline.ag, the Los Angeles Lakers are 2.5 point favorites:
- Point Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -1.5
- Over-Under: 220 points
- Money line: Boston Celtics +120, Portland Trail Blazers -140
Injury Report
According to the Boston Celtics official Twitter account, two players are listed on the injury report for tonight’s game. Jaylen Brown is out as the team continues to nurse him back after his hamstring injury, and Romeo Langford is probable with a right ankle sprain. However, Ime Udoka revealed that both Langford and Al Horford are good to play tonight during his press conference yesterday.
As for the Lakers, they have a lengthy injury report ahead of tonight’s game. First off, both Kendrick Nunn and Trevor Ariza, who are dealing with long-term injuries, are out. Carmelo Anthony is questionable due to a non-COVID-related illness. Lastly, both LeBron James (rectus abdominis strain) and Anthony Davis (left thumb sprain) are probable.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics
G: Dennis Schroder
G: Marcus Smart
F: Jayson Tatum
F: Al Horford
C: Robert Williams
Los Angeles Lakers
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Avery Bradley
F: Talen Horton-Tucker
F: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis
Boston Celtics Overview
The Celtics are coming off of a massive win over the Portland Trail Blazers that saw them pile on the points in the fourth quarter. Payton Pritchard exploded for 16 fourth-quarter points, and it got so out of control that Boston’s bench picked up a technical foul for celebrating too much. Head coach Ime Udoka even apologized to Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups after the game for things getting out of hands.
Boston’s last two games have seen them put up 130 points and 146 points, respectively. Though their 130-point game was wasted in a loss to the Utah Jazz, this offensive explosion is a great sign of progression. Their lackluster offense was a huge reason behind their early-season struggles, so seeing them turn things around lately has been a welcomed change.
A big part of that is the play of Jayson Tatum. He’s scoring the ball more, but more importantly, he’s doing so efficiently. Over Boston’s last three games, Tatum is averaging 31.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from three and 36.0 percent from deep. On top of that, Al Horford, Dennis Schroder, and Josh Richardson have all been putting up solid performances. Tatum’s leading the show, but it’s been a team effort for the C’s.
Los Angeles Lakers Overview
Meanwhile, the Lakers have continued to be bang average since the last time the C’s faced off against them. Los Angeles is 4-6 in their last 10 games and 3-3 in their last six. The story of their season has been beating all of their subpar opponents, yet never being able to put together a win over a quality team. Throughout the entire month of November, they only had one win against a team that was above-500 (the Miami Heat on November 10).
Surprisingly, their main issue has not been Russell Westbrook. At least, on the offensive end, that is. Throughout their last five games, Westbrook is shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from deep. LeBron James has been putting in work, too, averaging over 31 points a night. However, Anthony Davis has been struggling big-time. He’s one of the worst jump shooters in the NBA this season. In addition, Davis gave this statement about the Lakers struggles near the end of November:
“You know, 10-11, I mean, we could go on a 10-game winning streak, 12-game winning streak, now the narrative is different.”
While it may be easy to talk about a 10-game winning streak being the solution, it’s much harder to make that come to fruition. Since Davis gave that quote, the Lakers are 2-1, with their two wins being over the Pistons and the Kings.
Prediction
The first thing to keep an eye on tonight is the defense. As great as the offense has been lately, Boston’s defense has taken a bit of a step back. They have allowed over 115 points in each of their last two games, including the 137-point bomb Utah dropped on them. A part of that was that the Jazz were on fire, but the Celtics’ defense should take some of the blame as well. Los Angeles isn’t an elite offensive team, but seeing the C’s get back to their defensive roots would be great.
Next, the C’s need to keep the ball moving. The Lakers have some solid individual defenders, but there are very few times where they have a full lineup of elite defensive stoppers. They run a lot of lineups with Malik Monk and/or Wayne Ellington, and either of those guys can be exposed. With Anthony out, these guys might be on the court even more, too. If Boston can keep the ball moving, force the Lakers to rotate, and expose mismatches, they will be in great shape.
Lastly, as obvious as it may sound, the Celtics need to check James. As cliche as it may sound, James is one of the best players to ever play the game, and with how much the Lakers have been struggling, he’s going to do everything possible to get this win tonight. This is especially the case after what the Celtics did to him last time out. However, Boston has some great defenders, so if they can stay in front of James and force him to work from behind the three-point line, they should be able to contain him fairly well. Plus, if James does get to the paint, he’ll be met with Boston’s defensive wall of Robert Williams and Horford.
Taking into account the Lakers’ recent struggles and the Celtics’ recent surge on offense, Boston has a good chance to take this one. That being said, LA will definitely be looking for revenge tonight. The game should be closely contested, but the C’s have the edge.
Boston Celtics 109, Los Angeles Lakers 105
TIP-OFF: 10:00 p.m. @ STAPLES Center
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: TNT
