The Los Angeles Lakers return home on Sunday to host the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised rivalry game on ABC. The Lakers were able to salvage a win on their three-game road trip thanks to their victory Friday night in Minnesota, which improved their road record to 7-14 on the season. At home, however, the Lakers have been outstanding.
The Lakers are 17-2 at home this season, and have won eight straight home contests, including a 93-83 triumph last Sunday afternoon against the Miami Heat.
The Lakers beat the Celtics 88-87 in overtime on Feburary 9 in Boston, thanks in part to 25 points and 14 rebounds from Pau Gasol, who has been the subject of trade rumors in the last week. Gasol will likely continue to be mentioned in trade rumors until Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Andrew Bynum had 16 points and 17 rebounds in last month's win at Boston, and on Friday added a little more fuel to the rivalry, joking with reporters about the Celtics, "We’re goin’ at they heads. … We don’t like them boys,"
Boston has won six of their last seven games, but all but one of those wins came at home. They have lost six of their last seven road games and this is the start of an eight-game road trip for the Celtics.
Sunday's 12:30 p.m. PST game will be televised by ABC. For more news and notes on Lakers basketball, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.