Celtics vs Lakers

Will tonights game between Boston and LA be a preview of this years finals?  Probably not, instead, look this contest to be more like last years finals.  Remember when LA was destroyed by 39 at the Garden in game six, and Boston won their 17th Championship, officially allowing the NBA to go green. I expect another double digit victory but not by 39 again.  

The last time these two teams meet the Lakers won 92-83 on Christmas Day in front of a Nationally Televised audience.  The Celtics were riding a 19 game winning streak and seemed to be unbeatable at the time.  The Lakers perimeter defense was excellent that day holding the Celtics to 22 percent shooting from the three point arc, while knocking down 42 percent of their own shots from downtown.  This was no doubt the difference in the game.  Do not look for the Celtics to go cold again tonight from long range. 

Instead, expect the Celtics to come out with a sense of urgency, and to control this one from start to finish.  For the Lakers, fatigue could be a factor.  This will be their fifth game of a six game East Coast rode trip.  They conclude the trip in Cleveland on Sunday at 3:35 EST.  While the loss of Bynum has not hurt the Lakers yet, I expect the lack of inside muscle, to be very visible tonight.  Even with Bynum the Lakers have a difficult time guarding and rotating on ball screens.  Their offense is so good that it bails them out down the stretch. 

Injury report:

The Lakers again will be without Andrew Bynum, who is out 8 to 12 weeks with a torn MCL.  How important is Bynum?  He is  averaging 14 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, to go along with 1.9 blocks.  More importantly he brings a defensive presence in the paint.  While Pau Gasol has length and shot blocking ability, Bynum brings much needed muscle inside. 

According to CBS sports, Celtics Brian Scalabrine is out indefinitely with a concussion.  This is not that big an issue, however, Kevin Garnett has been running a fever and is questionable for tonight’s game. I would be very surprised if KG does not start and play in this one. 

Celtics Facts:

Boston is currently riding a 12 game winning streak.  They have only lost one time when scoring 100 or more points.  Boston has only 9 losses on the season and 6 of them have come when they have shoot 26 percent or less from three point range. 

Lakers Facts:

LA has won 8 of their last 9 games overall and 9 of their last 10 games on the road.  Kobe has scored 97 points in his last two games and is red hot coming into tonight’s contest.