Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics

TALE OF THE TAPE

Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers Record 13-9 16-5 → Off Rating 120.0 ← 119.6 Def Rating 114.8 114.0 → Net Rating 5.3 5.6 → Key Injuries Jayson Tatum (OUT) Marcus Smart (OUT)

Gary's Take I love this spot for the Lakers. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Boston loses its primary scorer and late-clock creator, so that glossy offensive rating is almost certainly inflated by minutes they are not getting tonight. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has played at essentially the same overall efficiency level but with clearly better shooting and scoring efficiency, and that edge becomes more pronounced when Boston’s best weapon is in street clothes.

The Lakers have been outstanding on the road and in tight games, while Boston has merely been solid in both areas. If this turns into the kind of close, grindy finish these matchups usually do, Los Angeles’ perfect clutch record should matter more than Boston’s home-court reputation. The only way this really goes sideways is if Boston’s supporting cast collectively erupts from deep to cover the Tatum gap. I’m betting the long-term efficiency and Tatum’s absence win out. Lock it in: Los Angeles Lakers ML +205.