May as well try one Christmas play. Can't get any worse than my wife gifting me a Cobra Kai kimono as my "big" present. LOL. First off, I don't like Cobra Kai. Second, I'm male. Third, what possibly indicated that I am an Asian robe wearer? Whatever. Just get me something Superman and I'm good. Easy peasy. Boston could blow the Lakers' doors off but end of a West Coast trip for the C's and just sorta feels like a game LA cares about for the first time since the in-season tournament final.

The Lake Show considered that a circle-the-wagons effort in the Saturday win at Oklahoma City. But more than a few are wondering why the Lakers put so much emphasis on the IST with Anthony Davis and Lebron not as durable as before, and keep in mind the four straight losses the Lakers endured before Saturday. Boston meanwhile is in top form and off a 145-108 romp in this building vs. the Clippers on Saturday, part of a 10-2 SU run entering Christmas. Boston has also hit 140+ in back-to-back games for the first time since November of 1966 in back-to-back wins vs. the Baltimore Bullets. Play Celtics

This is a big number for Brown when the Celtics are at full health and their starting five is active. Brown is averaging a combined 31.4 PRA on the season but that number decreases to under 30 when Boston is at full strength. Both Boston and LA rank in the top 10 in total defense. The Lakers have opted to remove D'Angelo Russell from the starting lineup and their new lineup should strengthen their defense.