Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Slumping Celts take on vulnerable Lakers

The NBA Regular Season is a topsy-turvy terrain where the script flips in no time and when we near the trade deadline, there can be further knots to this terrain. There is bound to be intense player movement. Rui Hachimura has been a part of the process after getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He and his Lakers are going to take on the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics come into this game after suffering a 117:120 Overtime loss against the Knicks despite a 35 points and 14 rebounds outing by Jayson Tatum. This was the third loss in a row for Boston after they had won nine in a row. Due to their consistent winning streaks, they have an impressive record of 35 wins and 15 losses which puts them in first position. This has been an expected return for a charged-up squad that went to the Finals last season and the offense has hit another level this season. A title run is not out of the question but we have a long season ahead.

The Lakers come into this game after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 113:104 as Anthony Davis compiled 21 points and 12 rebounds, returning from injury after a long time. They have won four out last six but the continuous losing streaks and a poor 10 losses and two wins start has reduced them to 26 losses and 23 wins. Bringing Hahimura is a plus but it doesn’t address the woeful long-range shooting of the team. There is a chance that the team makes some moves but so far, this season looks like a waste too.

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry could have had the juice if the LeBron-led Lakers stood up to the expectations but due to the Lakers’ sub-par play, the match-up doesn’t have the same magic. The Celtics may have lost three in a row but their overall play is too consistent to make them worry about it. The Lakers have a lot to worry about and I believe the Celtics will further worsen their worries here. I predict a scoreline of 126:116 in the Celts’ favor.