Here is what you need to know before the Lakers face their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics.
1)
On Thursday, the Lakers announced that one of the franchise’s legends, Magic Johnson, is returning to serve as an advisor for Co-Owner Jeanie Buss. Johnson’s role will include a broad set of responsibilities, including providing guidance on all business and basketball matters, as well as working with coaches and players.
Johnson expressed enthusiasm about his role in an interview with Spectrum SportsNet, saying, “ If I felt we were far away and it was going to be a waste of my time, I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t have taken this role. I know that we have the pieces in place and we will continue to get better.”
2)
But that wasn’t the only big piece of news for the purple and gold that day. During the team’s game against Washington, the NBA announced that Nick Young will compete at this year’s All-Star Three-Point Shootout. “Swaggy P” will become the first Laker to partake in the event in 29 years, and currently has the second-best 3-point percentage among the field (42.4), behind only Kyle Lowry (42.7).
3)
Unfortunately for Young and co., they were unable to prevent a red-hot Wizards squad from winning its 16th straight home game. Though D’Angelo Russell collected his second consecutive double-double with 17 points and a career-high 11 assists, the Lakers were staved off by John Wall, who scored 16 of his game-high 33 points in the fourth quarter.
4)
The timing for this game is perfect considering that the Lakers and Celtics are tied for the most wins in NBA history with 3,252 apiece. However, it will be far from the highest stakes these franchises have played for, as they have faced each other a record 12 times in the NBA Finals.
5)
This game will also feature the first coaching matchup between two of the NBA’s brightest young minds. Boston’s Brad Stevens, 40, had been the league’s youngest coach for the past three seasons before being supplanted by Luke Walton, 36. Both men earned their job through on-court results, as Stevens led Butler University to two Final Four appearances, while Walton guided last year’s Golden State Warriors to a 39-4 record as interim coach.
6)
Stevens and his squad are on a roll, having won five straight games, including over playoff contenders like Houston and Toronto. Boston’s offense has been top-notch during this run, putting up 116.4 points per game while hitting an NBA-best 13 3-pointers.
7)
Unsurprisingly, Isaiah Thomas has been the Celtics’ motor behind this stretch. He is averaging 36.2 points and 8.0 assists within the streak, including back-to-back games of 40-plus points.
8)
It has been an expectation-shattering season for the 5-foot-9 Thomas, who ranks second in the NBA in scoring with 29.7 points per game. Not only is the former 60th overall draft pick on pace for the highest average by a player shorter than 6 feet, he is also within range of challenging Larry Bird (29.9 ppg in 1987-88) for the franchise’s top scoring season.
9)
The Celtics also employ one of the NBA’s most versatile centers in Al Horford. The four-time All-Star currently leads all players at his position in assists (5.2), while also averaging 15.3 points and the ninth-most blocks in the NBA (1.68). Horford also has the ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, though that has partially caused him to rank last among qualified centers in field goal percentage (46.2).
10)
Rebounding and defense have been key for the Celtics this season. They are 14-1 when grabbing more or as many rebounds as their opponent, while also compiling a 12-1 record when holding the foe to fewer than 100 points.
Injury Report
Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) and D’Angelo Russell (mild MCL sprain, right knee; strained right calf) are probable. Julius Randle (pneumonia) is questionable.
Celtics: Kelly Olynyk (sore left shoulder) is questionable. Avery Bradley (sore right Achilles) is doubtful.
Tip-Off: 5 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes in L.A. ESPN nationally
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW