Clash at Crypto.com Arena: Los Angeles Lakers Host Boston Celtics in Anticipated Matchup
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to welcome the Boston Celtics to the Crypto.com Arena, fans are bracing for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Lakers, coming off a recent victory against the Detroit Pistons on December 11 with a score of 124-117, are looking to maintain their winning momentum.
In their last game, the Lakers showcased an impressive offensive display, shooting nearly 55 percent from the field and an outstanding 42 percent from beyond the arc. Their ability to convert two-point attempts was particularly noteworthy as they hit over 60 percent of those shots. This level of efficiency from close range could be pivotal against a Celtics team known for its defensive prowess.
The bench contribution was also significant for LAL in their win over Detroit, adding 27 points to their total score. However, it's worth noting that in an earlier matchup on December 10 against Philadelphia 76ers which went into overtime and resulted in a loss with a score of 122-133 for LAL, bench players contributed an even more substantial 40 points. This indicates that when called upon, LAL's reserves can provide valuable support and could be key difference-makers once again.
Defensively though there is room for improvement; despite securing more steals than Detroit (8 compared to Pistons'9), they allowed too many points in paint (52). They'll need to tighten up defensively if they want to contain Boston's attack.
Looking at previous performances this season provides insights into what fans might expect. On December 8 against Toronto Raptors – another high-scoring affair – LAL lost by a margin of just under double digits (113-126). Despite putting up good numbers offensively including fast break points (23) and second-chance points (17), it wasn't enough as they never led during that game.
The upcoming game will test whether LAL can leverage home-court advantage and continue improving on both ends of the floor. With players like LeBron James who consistently deliver top-tier performances and Anthony Davis who can dominate inside when healthy, there’s potential for success if all pieces click together effectively.
Lakers fans should mark their calendars for this exciting matchup scheduled on December 13 at Crypto.com Arena starting at 7:00 PM PST. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT channel number 245 where supporters can catch all action live as these two storied franchises go head-to-head once more.