Look. I get the circumstances aren’t that great. The Lakers are coming off a long-ish road trip and this will be their 3rd game in 4 nights. They’re still banged up and both Bron and AD are still not available. The Celtics are playing well, winners of 4 in a row and 6 of their last 7. They’re without Evan Fournier and Robert Williams is questionable, but the rest of their roster is available. On paper, the Celtics should be favored.
That said, this is the first Lakers home game with fans in the arena. There should be about 2,000 Lakers faithful in the arena and they’d like nothing more than for the first time they’re in the building to watch their defending champion team in-person to be a win over the Celtics. So, you know, just make it happen. I honestly don’t care how.
I know it will be difficult. The Celtics have big scoring wings and, particularly if Williams plays, some athleticism in the middle. They can get hot from behind the arc and they will defend. They’re also certainly seeking revenge after the Lakers beat them in Boston earlier this year and they’d love to repay the favor tonight, particularly with fans there to make the suffering that much greater. I get it, I really do.
That said, this is the Celtics. I want this win. The matchups may not favor the Lakers and, while the talent disparity isn’t crazy, the Celtics boast two all-stars to the Lakers none with these versions of the roster, but go win the game anyway. This is one of the only regular season games that matters to me this way. So, go win the game. I don’t ask for much, but I’m asking for this. Make it happen, fellas.
More X’s and O’s stuff to come after this one. Ya’ll be good.
Where you can watch: 7:00pm start time on Spectrum SportsNet and TNT.