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Los Angeles Lakers (5-14) at Boston Celtics (5-11)
Friday, December 5, 2014
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #17, Home Game #11
TV: CSNNE, TWC Sportsnet, NBA-LP 755(DTV), 755(Xfinity)
Radio:
98.5 Sports Hub, 710 AM ESPN
TD Garden
Probable Starters
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo ---------------- Shooting Guard: Avery Bradley
Center: Tyler Zeller 
Small Forward: Jeff Green ------------------ Power Forward: Jared Sullinger
Celtics ReservesPhil Pressey
Evan Turner
Marcus Thornton
Brandon Bass
Dwight Powell
Kelly Olynyk
James Young
Gerald Wallace
Marcus Smart
InjuriesVitor Faverani (knee) out
Probable Starters
Point Guard: Jeremy Lin -------------------- Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
Center: Jordan Hill 
Small Forward: Wesley Johnson -------------------- Power Forward: Carlos Boozer
Lakers Reserves Ed Davis
Ronnie Price
Nick Young
Robert Sacre
Wayne Ellington
Jordan Clarkson
Lakers Injuries Xavier Henry (Achilles) out
Ryan Kelly (hamstring) out
Steve Nash (Sciatic) out
Julius Randle (tibia) out
Game Notes Although this matchup has lost some of the luster of this rivalry, there is still something special about a game between these two storied franchises. Both teams have fallen on tough times and are in the midst of a rebuild but it's still Lakers vs Celtics and there is still Kobe to deal with.
The Celtics are 3-7 at home while the Lakers are 3-6 on the road. The Celtics are 2-8 in their last 10 games and are coming off an OT win over the Pistons. The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 and coming off a loss to the Wizards.
Last season, the Lakers won the series 2-0. The last time these two teams met at the Garden was January 17, 2014. In case you forgot, that was the game in which Rajon Rondo made his return from the ACL injury. However, the Lakers spoiled his return with a 107-104 win.
Key Matchups
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Avery Bradley vs Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers with 26 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Slowing the Lakers offense will have to include slowing Kobe Bryant and that task will fall to Avery Bradley. If he is up to the task, it would give the Celtics a better chance of winning.
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Hill is averaging 13.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. It will be key to keep him out of the paint and from scoring easy baskets at the hoop.
Honorable Mention Rajon Rondo vs Jeremy Lin
We are a long way from the Linsanity that took over New York a few years ago, but Lin is still a good point guard. He is averaging 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists a game. Rondo said after the last game that he hasn't been himself and this would be a good time to get back to dominating matchups.
Keys to the GamePush the Ball - The Celtics have had success when they push the ball up the court quickly before the defense can get set. With the Lakers being short handed, it will be even more important to run and push the tempo.
Rebound - The Celtics have to crash the boards as a team to give themselves more possessions as well as to prevent the Lakers from getting second chance points.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to be aggressive in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, and on defense. They have to be the team that wants it more.
Focus for 48 Minutes - The Celtics still struggle with lapses. Even against the Pistons they gave up a lead but managed to hold on to win. They have to keep their focus for all 48 minutes and figure out how to avoid those lapses.
Defense - Offense often feeds off of the defense and defense wins games. The Celtics must play tough, physical team defense if they want to win this game.
X-Factors Home and Pride The Celtics are at home and should get a boost from the home crowd. Even though this rivalry isn't what it once was, there is still Celtics Pride and they need to draw on that to give them a boost to get this win. Beat LA!!!!!!!!
Topic: Lakers (5-14) at Celtics (5-11) Game #17 12/5/14 (Read 34208 times)