Celtics (20-32) at Lakers ((13-41) Game #52 2/22/15

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (20-32) at Los Angeles Lakers ((13-41)
Regular Season Game #52 Road Game #25
Sunday, February 22, 2015
9:30 PM ET
TV:  CSNNE, TWC SN, NBA-TV Canada,  NBA-TV
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 710 AM ESPN
Staples Center




Probable Starters
Point Guard: Marcus Smart ---------------- Shooting Guard: Avery Bradley


Center: Tyler Zeller


Small Forward: Evan Turner ------------------ Power Forward: Brandon Bass


Celtics Reserves
Gerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
James Young
Phil Pressey
Shavlik Randolph
Isaiah Thomas
Jonas Jerebko
Gigi Datome

Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) questionable
Jared Sullinger (foot)  out

Head Coach
Brad Stevens





Probable Starters
Point Guard: Jordan Clarkson -------------------- Shooting Guard: Wayne Ellington


Center: Jordan Hill


Small Forward: Ryan Kelly -------------------- Power Forward: Carlos Boozer


Lakers Reserves
Ed Davis
Wesley Johnson
Jeremy Lin
Nick Young
Tarik Black
Robert Sacre

Lakers Injuries
Kobe Bryant  (Rotator Cuff)  out 
Steve Nash (Sciatic) out
Julius Randle (tibia) out

Head Coach
Byron Scott
(Phil Pressey's dad Paul Pressey is an assistant coach)

Game Notes
Even though both of these storied franchises have been struggling, this is still one of the games that gets circled by both Celtics and Lakers fans a like.  Some of the luster is off of the rivalry,  but it's still a game that both teams very much want to win.

This is the second and final meeting between these two teams this season.  The Celtics won the first game in Boston 113-96.   The lineups for both teams have changed considerably since that game.  The Celtics started Rondo, Bradley, Green, Sullinger and Zeller while the Lakers started a lineup of Lin, Kobe, Johnson, Boozer and Sacre.  Such is the life of rebuilding franchises. 

The Celtics are coming off a loss to the rejuvenated Kings on the road while the Lakers have lost their last 7 games and are coming off a loss to the Nets at home.  The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are 8-17 on the road while the Lakers are 1-9 in their last 10 and are 7-19 at home. 

The Celtics may still be under manned if their three new players aren't able to suit up.  The Celtics are still in the playoff hunt but have slipped back to 1.5 games back of the 8th playoff spot in the East.  The Lakers are strictly playing for lottery balls and have the 4th worst record at this point and are 16.5 games out of the 8th spot in the West.  They need to get a pick in the top 5 or else they lose their pick this season

Players to Watch

Marcus Smart and James Young
Smart and Young should be getting more playing time and both will need to show improvement with each and every game.  They are part of the Celtics' core and its time for them to make their presence felt in the game. 


Nick Young and Ed Davis
Nick Young is arguably the Lakers best player with Kobe out and will come off the bench against the second unit.  The Celtics have to contain him.  Ed Davis is capable of having a big game, especially against the Celtics weakened front line.   He is especially tough on the boards. Davis had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the Lakers loss to the Nets.

Keys to the Game
Push the Ball - The Celtics have had success when they push the ball up the court quickly before the defense can get set.  When they slow it down,  they usually dig themselves into a hole.  They need to set the pace and run on every possession. 

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.   With Sully out, every player must work harder to pick up the slack on the boards. 

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 in their wins, they usually either get off to a slow start or give up most of a lead when they have one.   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
Rivalry and Who Plays
Even though they are clearly tanking, the Celtics/Lakers rivalry is such that both teams will want to win this game.  The Celtics have to play harder and give more effort since they are the road team.  If they get their new players for this game, it would be a big help. 

[celticslove]

TP FL for another game thread. hope IT can play. Beat LA!

[hwangjini_1]

Hello FLC. You really do a great job on the game threads. I am convinced that each and every Celtic victory is tied to the threads you make. 

One more tp for you!

Celtics will stomp the living hell out of the lakers!!

Gooooo celtics! Stomp, stomp, stomp!

[FLCeltsFan]

Thanks celticslove and a TP for you for being the first to post in the thread.

And a TP for hwangjini_1 for your kind words and just because your upbeat posts always make me smile.   

Go Celtics!! BEAT LA!!!!! 

[OhioGreen]

A little confused!  There were a handful of traded players playing Friday.  A bunch playing yesterday.  But C's may not have our guys on Sunday?  What are they traveling by covered wagon or what?

[Celtics4ever]

What are they traveling by covered wagon or what?

They have to pass physicals and the like.

[OhioGreen]

What are they traveling by covered wagon or what?

They have to pass physicals and the like.

That's kinda my point---all traded players have to pass physicals/etc.---so why are these players playing the next day or two after the trades, and we're possibly still not having our guys THREE days later!??

[Redz]

Man, that Lakers starting five is about as unrecognizable as any I can remember.

[apc]

Wow the Lakers starting 5 , Robert scarce is the only one I heard of.

[Maurice98]

Isn't Ryan Kelly too big and slow to play at the 3?

[hwangjini_1]

.

[willyd24]

Not really sure I understand why Isaiah Thomas and Jonas Jerebko might not be available vs. the Lakers. Supposedly, they all had their physicals and should have arrived in Los Angeles Saturday night. CBS is saying they might not play because they will only get in one walkthrough with the team prior to tip-off. With Sully and Olynyk out then we need Jerebko in the front court regardless of how much he has practiced with the team and Isaiah puts up 15 PPG so if he's there he should play.

Really want to see the new Celtics debut but I don't want to wait till tomorrow night 

[Redz]

Man, that Lakers starting five is about as unrecognizable as any I can remember.

The Lakers starting 5 walked into a bar into a bar and the bartender said, "You guys are tall."

[Timdawgg]

Are you sure the starters and the reserves aren't reversed..Crazy that they have all of these little known guys starting and 5 decent nba players coming off the bench. Strange....tank much???

[PAOBoston]

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I can't remember a time that both teams were this bad.