Preview: Boston at L.A. Lakers
GAME: Boston Celtics (25-3) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (19-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, December 30 - 10:00 PM EST
SPREAD: Los Angeles -2 TOTAL: 200.5
The mighty Boston Celtics will close out a four-game road trip tonight with a classic showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.
Boston is 3-0 so far on the trip and has won five straight overall, including Saturday's 104-98 victory over the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Paul Pierce scored four straight points to break a late tie and finished with a game-high 24 for the Celtics, who improved their NBA-best record to 25-3.
Ray Allen had 23 points and Kevin Garnett contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, as Boston used a big 21-8 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters before holding off a late Utah charge. The Celtics, who are 11-2 as the guest this season, have won seven in a row on the road.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will continue a five-game homestand and are 11-4 at the Staples Center this season.
Los Angeles is 2-0 so far on the stand and posted its fourth straight win overall with Friday's 123-109 victory over the Jazz. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and helped give Lakers head coach Phil Jackson his 938th career win.
Lamar Odom had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who exploded for 75 first-half points and held a lead of 30-plus before resting the starters late in the game. Jordan Farmar scored 14 points, while young big man Andrew Bynum and Derek Fisher added 10 points apiece for LA
The Lakers have won five straight as the host, and will also welcome Philadelphia and Indiana to town on the current homestand. In injury news for Los Angeles, forward Luke Walton (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Boston. Walton has missed the last three games.
Sunday's game between Boston and LA is the second and final matchup for the regular season. The Celtics notched a 107-94 win over the Lakers on November 23 this season at TD Banknorth Garden, but Los Angeles has won three of four and seven of the last 10 meetings.
Boston has lost four of its last five at the Lakers.
Recap: Boston Celtics 110, L.A. Lakers 91
Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats
Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07
Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences
Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center
Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery
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