Jayson Tatum and the Celtics will try to stop the Lakers in their tracks.
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics will try to stop the Lakers in their tracks.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Celtics will look to avenge their January 23 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers when the two teams meet Saturday night at TD Garden.
That 117-96 defeat came against a different-looking Lakers squad — one that featured Anthony Davis but did not yet have Luka Doncic, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade on February 2.
Boston enters the matchup on a three-game win streaking, having erased a 26-point deficit to beat the 76ers on Thursday. The Celtics, however, are dealing with multiple injury concerns. Kristaps Porziņģis (illness), Sam Hauser (ankle), and Jrue Holiday (finger) are all listed as questionable.
Los Angeles has been red-hot since Doncic’s arrival. LeBron James (foot) is questionable but expected to play, while Rui Hachimura (knee) has been ruled out.
With uncertainty surrounding Boston’s lineup, the Celtics will need contributions from their bench to contain the Lakers' high-powered offense.
Here’s your preview.
When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: ABC, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -6.5. O/U: 225.5.
LAKERS
Season record: 40-21. vs. spread: 35-25, 1 push. Over/under: 28-33
Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 2-8
CELTICS
Season record: 45-18. vs. spread: 29-34. Over/under: 29-33, 1 push
Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 4-6
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: LA Lakers 113.1, Boston 117.0
Points allowed per game: LA Lakers 111.1, Boston 108.3
Field goal percentage: LA Lakers .481, Boston .462
Opponent field goal percentage: LA Lakers .460, Boston .453
3-point percentage: LA Lakers .355, Boston .372
Opponent 3-point percentage: LA Lakers .347, Boston .348
Stat of the day: The Lakers are 8-2 with Luka Doncic in the lineup.
Notes: The Lakers stretched their winning streak to eight games by beating the New York Knicks 113-109 in overtime on Thursday after trailing by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. “We haven’t had many of those games because frankly, we’ve had the lead a lot lately,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “I think it’s a good reminder for our group going forward that we can win games like this where we’re not at our best offensively, where we get off to a slow start defensively but we have enough toughness and grit to get these games.” ... The Lakers have won 18 of their last 21 games. Doncic is averaging 23.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 10 games since the Lakers acquired him. ... Their current winning streak has moved the Lakers into second place in the Western Conference. “I think we have a great team, we have great players,” Doncic said. “Chemistry is building. They’re all great guys. I am just happy to be part of this.” ... Saturday’s matchup will begin a four-game road trip for Los Angeles that includes stops in Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Denver. ... The game will feature four players who are averaging more than 23.0 points per game: Tatum (26.9), Doncic (26.8), James (25.1) and Brown (23.1).
Max Schwartzberg can be reached at max.schwartzberg@globe.com. Follow him on X @mschwartzberg27.