Game 51: Celtics vs Lakers ( Sat 1/28 @ 8:30pm on ABC )
Jan 28, 2023 14:59:33 GMT -5
kyceltic likes this
Post by Admin on Jan 28, 2023 14:59:33 GMT -5
If you want to take credit for Championships won by the MI Lakers then you got to own it! You can call L.A. your home all you want but you'll forever be connected to the Great Lakes of Michigan:
Los Angeles Lakers (23-26) at Boston Celtics (35-15) Game #51 (1/28/23)
The Celtics look to get back on track as they host their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
By flceltsfan
The Celtics look to get back on track as they host their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
By flceltsfan
The Celtics host their oldest and biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. They met for the first time this season on December 13 in Los Angeles. The Celtics won that game 122-118 in OT. The Celtics lead the series overall all time 164-133. They lead 83-51 in games played at home. The series was tied 1-1 last season with each team winning at home.
Over the last 10 regular season meetings, each team has won 5 of those games. Since the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, before the 1960-61 season, they have met 206 times and the Celtics lead with 110 wins to 96 for the Lakers. The Celtics are 9-3 against the Lakers in the Finals. Boston won the first 8 titles before the Lakers won 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Celtics last title coming against the Lakers in 2008.
The Celtics are still 1st in the East, although their margin has shrunk to 2.5 games over 2nd place Philadelphia and 3rd place Milwaukee. They are also 5 games ahead of 4th place Brooklyn. The Celtics are 18-6 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are 15-4 against Western Conference opponents. They have lost their last 3 games.
The Lakers are 13th in the West, where the standings are very close. They are just 1 game behind 10th place Utah and 1.5 games behind 7th place Phoenix. They are 2.5 games behind 6th place Dallas and a playoff spot. They are 10-14 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are 11-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are looking for their 2nd straight win.
The Celtics are playing in the 2nd game of a 4 game home stand. They will host Brooklyn and Phoenix before heading out on the road once again. They lost the first game of the home stand on Thursday against the Knicks. The Lakers are playing in the first game of a 5 game road trip. The Lakers last played on Wednesday when they beat the Spurs at home.
Marcus Smart remains out for the Celtics with a sprained ankle. Danilo Gallinari remains out as he rehabs a torn ACL. Robert Williams was a late addition to the injury list. He is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain that he presumably picked up in the Celtics’ last game against the Knicks. His status will be a game time decision.
For the Lakers, LeBron James is listed as questionable with a sore ankle. He has been questionable for the past 8 games but has continued to play through the soreness. Anthony Davis returned on Wednesday after missing 20 games with a stress injury in his foot. He is probable for this game. Lonnie Walker IV is questionable with a knee injury. He has missed the last 14 games and this is the second game he is listed as questionable. He did not play on Wednesday after being considered questionable for that one. Austin Reaves is listed as out for this game with a hamstring injury. LeBron, Davis, and Walker will all be a game time decision.
Over the last 10 regular season meetings, each team has won 5 of those games. Since the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, before the 1960-61 season, they have met 206 times and the Celtics lead with 110 wins to 96 for the Lakers. The Celtics are 9-3 against the Lakers in the Finals. Boston won the first 8 titles before the Lakers won 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Celtics last title coming against the Lakers in 2008.
The Celtics are still 1st in the East, although their margin has shrunk to 2.5 games over 2nd place Philadelphia and 3rd place Milwaukee. They are also 5 games ahead of 4th place Brooklyn. The Celtics are 18-6 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are 15-4 against Western Conference opponents. They have lost their last 3 games.
The Lakers are 13th in the West, where the standings are very close. They are just 1 game behind 10th place Utah and 1.5 games behind 7th place Phoenix. They are 2.5 games behind 6th place Dallas and a playoff spot. They are 10-14 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are 11-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are looking for their 2nd straight win.
The Celtics are playing in the 2nd game of a 4 game home stand. They will host Brooklyn and Phoenix before heading out on the road once again. They lost the first game of the home stand on Thursday against the Knicks. The Lakers are playing in the first game of a 5 game road trip. The Lakers last played on Wednesday when they beat the Spurs at home.
Marcus Smart remains out for the Celtics with a sprained ankle. Danilo Gallinari remains out as he rehabs a torn ACL. Robert Williams was a late addition to the injury list. He is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain that he presumably picked up in the Celtics’ last game against the Knicks. His status will be a game time decision.
For the Lakers, LeBron James is listed as questionable with a sore ankle. He has been questionable for the past 8 games but has continued to play through the soreness. Anthony Davis returned on Wednesday after missing 20 games with a stress injury in his foot. He is probable for this game. Lonnie Walker IV is questionable with a knee injury. He has missed the last 14 games and this is the second game he is listed as questionable. He did not play on Wednesday after being considered questionable for that one. Austin Reaves is listed as out for this game with a hamstring injury. LeBron, Davis, and Walker will all be a game time decision.
Key Matchups
Al Horford vs LeBron James
Al Horford vs LeBron James
LeBron is averaging 29.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He is shooting 50.7% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics on December 13, LeBron finished with 33 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He is listed as questionable but has been listed as questionable for the past 8 games and has played in all of them so I expect him to play and play well.
Robert Williams III vs Anthony Davis
Davis returned to the Lakers on Wednesday after missing 20 games with a foot injury. He is probable for this game. He is averaging 27.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. He is shooting 59.0% from the field and 29.4% from beyond the arc. The Celtics will definitely have their hands full trying to contain both LeBron and Davis.
Honorable Mention
Malcolm Brogdon vs Russell Westbrook
Westbrook has been doing a good job for the Lakers coming off the bench. He is averaging 15.8 points 6.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He is shooting 42.1% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. He brings energy and effort off the bench and is always a threat to have a big game. This should be a good matchup of 2 Sixth Man of the Year candidates.