Through 3 Quarters
Down one at the end of last quarter, the Boston Celtics have now snagged the lead. They have emerged as the frontrunner after three quarters and are ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers 93-84. Nobody has stood out from the pack for Boston offensively yet.
The Celtics and Los Angeles both experienced trouble in their last games, but one is bound to make up for it today. Boston is out front, but they can't get complacent.
Who's Playing
Los Angeles @ Boston
Current Records: Los Angeles 8-8; Boston 7-8
What to Know
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road again Friday and play against the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET Nov. 19 at TD Garden. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W.'
The Lakers came up short against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, falling 109-102. Los Angeles' loss shouldn't obscure the performances of shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker, who posted a double-double on 25 points and 12 boards, and point guard Russell Westbrook, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 15 assists.
Meanwhile, the contest between Boston and the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday was not a total blowout, but with Boston falling 110-99 on the road, it was darn close to turning into one. The losing side was boosted by small forward Jayson Tatum, who shot 5-for-12 from downtown and finished with 34 points, five dimes and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles is expected to win this handily, but they should have beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder Nov. 4 easily too and instead slipped up with a 107-104. In other words, don't count Boston out just yet.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: TD Garden -- Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: ESPN
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $102.82
Odds
The Celtics are a slight 2-point favorite against the Lakers, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 2-point spread, and stayed right there.
Over/Under: -107
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Boston have won seven out of their last 12 games against Los Angeles.
- Apr 15, 2021 - Boston 121 vs. Los Angeles 113
- Jan 30, 2021 - Los Angeles 96 vs. Boston 95
- Feb 23, 2020 - Los Angeles 114 vs. Boston 112
- Jan 20, 2020 - Boston 139 vs. Los Angeles 107
- Mar 09, 2019 - Boston 120 vs. Los Angeles 107
- Feb 07, 2019 - Los Angeles 129 vs. Boston 128
- Jan 23, 2018 - Los Angeles 108 vs. Boston 107
- Nov 08, 2017 - Boston 107 vs. Los Angeles 96
- Mar 03, 2017 - Boston 115 vs. Los Angeles 95
- Feb 03, 2017 - Boston 113 vs. Los Angeles 107
- Apr 03, 2016 - Boston 107 vs. Los Angeles 100
- Dec 30, 2015 - Los Angeles 112 vs. Boston 104
Injury Report for Boston
- Jaylen Brown: Out (Hamstring)
- Robert Williams III: Out (Knee)
Injury Report for Los Angeles
- LeBron James: Game-Time Decision (Abdomen)
- Anthony Davis: Game-Time Decision (Thigh)
- Austin Reaves: Out (Hamstring)
- Kendrick Nunn: Out (Knee)
- Trevor Ariza: Out (Ankle)
