The Christmas Day meeting between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers didn’t quite live up to the hype. The Lakers held control for much of the game and eventually won, 92-83. Kevin Garnett (22 points) and Paul Pierce (20 points) played well, but the rest of the Celtics combined to shoot just 18 of 50 (36%) from the field. Meanwhile, the Lakers shot 40% from long range, anchored by uncharacteristic accuracy from Luke Walton and Lamar Odom, who were both 2-3 from long range.
But tonight’s game will be in Boston and the Lakers are coming off a tough game last night in Toronto, which is why the Celtics are favored by seven points. Since losing four straight games in early January, the C’s are riding a 12-game winning streak. The Lakers have won eight of their last nine games, but will be without Andrew Bynum, who is going to miss 8-12 weeks with a torn MCL.
L.A. will be looking for revenge. The last time the Lakers visited Boston was for Game 6 of the 2008 Finals, when they were summarily trounced by the Celtics, 131-92.
The game is on TNT tonight at 8 PM ET.
