Here is what you need to know before the Lakers’ latest edition of their rivalry with the Boston Celtics.
1) For the final time, Kobe Bryant will suit up on the Celtics’ parquet floor. The 17-time all-star is 9-7 in Boston during the regular season, but went just 1-5 there in the postseason. However, that didn’t stop him from winning one of the two NBA Finals appearances against the Lakers’ rivals.
2) The Lakers and Celtics are meeting for the 282nd time. Boston has won 155 of those matchups, but haven’t taken the season series since 2007-08.
3) Bryant isn’t the only one for whom this trip is exceptionally special. Brandon Bass is returning to Boston for the first time since playing four seasons for the Celtics from 2011-15. The 11-year veteran averaged career-highs in points (12.5) and rebounds (6.2) during his first season in green.
4) Boston is masterful at getting opposing teams to commit mistakes. The Celtics force a league-high 17.5 turnovers, which are on pace for the most since Golden State in 2009-10 (17.6).
5) The Celtics are also solid on defense as a whole. They rank third in defensive efficiency (97.4 points per 100 possessions), which has led to their +4.4 point differential, which is fourth-best in the NBA.
6) The key to beating Boston has been to crack that defense. The Celtics are 17-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points, but just 1-11 when allowing triple-digit scoring.
7) This matchup features a clash between Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams and runner-up Isaiah Thomas. Ironically, both players are starting now, with Thomas even ranking ninth in the league in assists (6.8).
8) Jae Crowder is having, by far, the best season of his career. Much of this has to do with his comfort in Boston’s offense, as he ranks third in the league in spot-up scoring (5.0 ppg).
9) Kelly Olynyk stretches the floor like no other center, as his 1.2 3-pointers per game lead his position. A former teammate of Robert Sacre’s at Gonzaga, Olynyk also has the NBA’s 10th-best defensive rating (97.2).
10) The Celtics are currently riding their defense for a four-game win streak. During this span, they lead the league in opponent field goal percentage (39.1), while ranking second in points allowed (93.0) and point differential (+10.5).
