The West-leading Los Angeles Lakers are playing host to the Boston Celtics as they look for revenge. The Celtics won the first meeting without breaking a sweat, 139-107.

HOME TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (42-12, 18-7 at home)

The Lakers have won four straight games. The offense has also been on high gear over their last seven, where they are putting up 122.3 points per game on an efficient 51.6% shooting. Such a rhythm is what they need against the Celtics, who embarrassed them last January 31st with a 32-point rout.

Anthony Davis has five consecutive outings with 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, and he’s also shooting over 56% in that span. LeBron James, meanwhile, has posted 32 points in back-to-back games with a similarly smooth field goal percentage – 54.3%.

The Lake Show’s third scorer role has been playing musical chairs all season long, and it seems like it’s Avery Bradley’s turn as of late. The former Celtic is scoring 14.1 points and knocking down 3.1 threes in his last seven.

Tomorrow may be the Lakers debut of Markieff Morris (11 PPG in 44 games this season). He signed with the team after his contract got bought out by the Detroit Pistons.

ROAD TEAM: Boston Celtics (39-16, 16-11 on the road)

The Celtics are coming in with a lot of momentum. They are 9-1 in their last 10 and have also won four of their last five games on the road.

The high-scoring trio of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, who are all averaging 20-plus points on the season, each scored 20 or more in that one-sided win over the Lakers weeks back. They got backed up by big man Enes Kanter as he powered the bench through a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action.

Though getting overshadowed by the top three scorers, Gordon Hayward deserves a mention as well. He has 23.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over his last three

The offense is looking strong for tomorrow, but defense should remain as the Celtics’ bigger weapon. They are consistently ranking inside the top four in points allowed (106.4 PAPG), defensive rating, paint defense (43.1 per game), for a reason.

PREDICTION:

The Lakers won’t get blown out again but they tend to falter against the top teams. I expect the Celtics to win a tight game, 114-11. Through a strong showing from Kemba and Tatum.