'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/2wBDAQYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMRkFP/EAB4QAAICAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQAERJBEyFh/9oACAEBAAE/AILkFKrDMkRawHGiwHAIN+tdn7iiuVB8XWf/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMSIXL/2gAIAQIBAT8AbuWlP//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAyJy/9oACAEDAQE/AJkqZR//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the NBA’s oldest rivalries heats up again as the LA Lakers head to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics in the second half of a back-to-back on Friday. This is the first of two non-conference games scheduled this season. A 1-1 split has been common between the two, including last season.
Following their contest against the Celtics, the Lakers have one game remaining on the road on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers before they return home to play the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinal on Dec. 10.
The Lakers are coming off a 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors, in which Rui Hachimura scored the game-winner. LA is also strong away from home, posting an impressive 9-2 record since Nov. 13.
Trending
The Celtics, meanwhile, have been playing some of their best basketball this season and are on a three-game winning streak. Boston is coming off a 146-101 win over the Washington Wizards, in which Derrick White scored a game-high 30 points.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Starting Lineups and Depth Charts Tonight (Dec.5)
LA Lakers Starting Lineups and Depth Chart
The Lakers will likely run the same lineup they used against the Raptors. Coach JJ Redick is still without Luka Doncic, who flew to his hometown to welcome the birth of his second daughter.
While there was hope that Doncic would be able to join the Lakers at some point on their road swing, that hope has now been dashed, with reports circulating that he will not be available for the remainder of the trip.
On top of it, uncertainty looms over the statuses of LeBron James and Marcus Smart. James hasn’t played a back-to-back this season and is coming off a historic low eight-point outing in 36 minutes. He is most likely to sit this one out.
Meanwhile, Smart has been battling a back injury that caused him to miss the last three games. He has been listed as day-to-day and is expected to undergo medical assessment to determine if he can suit up against his former team.
Barring late setbacks, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Gabe Vincent and Austin Reaves start. Jake LaRavia gets the nod if James sits out or misses the game.
Boston Celtics Starting Lineups and Depth Chart
The Celtics are relatively healthy, but there is one major concern, the availability of Jaylen Brown. The 29-year-old missed the first game of the season with a non-COVID illness. Boston has leaned heavily on Brown to lead the offense in the absence of co-star Jayson Tatum.
The star guard leads the team in scoring with 29.0 points per game. Should he be unable to play on Friday, it would leave a noticeable void in their lineup.
Sam Hauser gets the nod if Brown doesn’t suit up. Neemias Queta, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Jordan Walsh round out the starting five.
Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.
