The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics add another episode to their rivalry this Saturday, as they take on each other at TD Garden. Will the Lakers go over .500 with a win? Or, will the Celtics get the better of the visitors?
Catch this game live on Saturday, November 20, at 8:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Lakers (8-8/1-3 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Avery Bradley
- SF: Talen-Horton Tucker
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Anthony Davis
Help could be on the way for the Lakers, with LeBron James listed as questionable for Saturday’s meeting with Boston. A potential return by LeBron couldn’t come at a better time for the struggling Purple & Gold franchise, which has gone 0-2 in its last two games, including Thursday’s 109-102 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers, who are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a loss, have struggled in second halves of late, with their last two opponents outsourcing them in the fourth quarter.
That might not be the case this time around against Boston, which is just 23rd in the NBA in terms of fourth-quarter offense (26.7 PPG). Despite the recent losses, the Lakers are getting fantastic numbers from Talen Horton-Tucker, who has scored 53 points on 48.6 GH% and 46.7 3FG% in the last two games. Of course, there’s Anthony Davis to carry most of the load for the Lakers. He averaged 27.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in two games last season against Boston.
Home: Boston Celtics (7-8/2-3 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Marcus Smart
- SG: Jaylen Brown (questionable)
- SF: Jayson Tatum
- PF: Al Horford
- C: Robert Williams
The Celtics could also have a vital piece back in the lineup this Saturday, as Jaylen Brown is reportedly questionable to play against the Lakers. Brown has not played in the last six Boston games, during which the Celtics have gone 3-3 straight up with a 5-1 ATS record during that stretch. Should Brown gets held out again, expect the Celtics to keep giving Dennis Schroder heavy minutes as a starter. Schroder has become a Robin to the Batman of Jayson Tatum of sorts during Brown’s absence.
In the Celtics’ last six games, Schroder has averaged 22.5 points on 50.9 FG%. If he could just cut down on his turnovers, it would be a huge boost for Boston, which is averaging 106.7 points per game. While Davis is clearly a problem, the Celtics have the duo of Al Horford and Robert Williams that can try to contain the Lakers big. Boston is coming off a 110-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last Thursday to end a three-game road trip, so a change in scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for the Celtics.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Lakers have yet to lose three games in a row this season. Take Los Angeles to cover (+2.5).
Over/Under: This will be a tight contest from start to end. Take the Under (213.5).
