Boston Celtics (39-16) at Los Angeles Lakers (42-12), 3:30 ET, ABC
- The Celtics won the first meeting with the Lakers this season, 139-107 on Jan. 20, as Jayson Tatum (27 points), Jaylen Brown (20) and Kemba Walker (20) each scored at least 20 points. Boston is 5-0 this season when Tatum, Brown and Walker all reach 20 points in the same game.
- The Lakers’ 139-107 loss to the Celtics on Jan. 20 was their biggest loss of the season (32 points). LeBron James (15 points) and Anthony Davis (9 points) combined for just 24 points in the loss; it was their lowest combined scoring output of the year and the only game in which both All-Stars were held below 20 points.
- The Celtics enter Sunday having won nine of their last 10 games. During that stretch, Jayson Tatum (27.3 PPG), Jaylen Brown (21.9) and Gordon Hayward (20.9) have all averaged at least 20 points. The Suns are the only other team in the NBA with three players averaging at least 20 points over the team’s last 10 games.
- The Lakers enter Sunday riding a four-game win streak, which is the longest active streak in the league. During the streak, both LeBron James (25.8 PPG, 10.3 APG) and Anthony Davis (28.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG) are both averaging 25-10 double-doubles. The Lakers have also had great 3-point shooting from Avery Bradley (12-20, 60%) and Rajon Rondo (8-13, 61.5%) during the streak.
- The Lakers rank second in points in the paint (53.6 per game), while the Celtics allow the third fewest points in the paint (43.0 per game). Opposing teams shoot 54.7% from inside six feet against the Celtics, which is tied for the fourth-lowest percentage allowed in the league. The Lakers average the most field goals inside eight feet (24.7 per game) and shoot at the highest percentage in the league on those shots (63.6%).
