Lakers at Celtics
THE STORY: The NBA's most historic rivalry takes place again on Thursday when the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers. Both traditional title contenders started the season slowly. While the Celtics are playing their best basketball of the season, the Lakers are still struggling to find their game. Boston has won nine of 10, including a season-high five in a row. The Lakers have lost their last two contests after winning three straight.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE LAKERS (14-11): Kobe Bryant moved into fifth place on the NBA’s career scoring list in Monday's loss to Philadelphia. To reach the feat, Bryant passed former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. Los Angeles is 1-2 on its six-game road trip which also has stops in New York and Toronto. The Lakers have looked very ordinary this season, particularly on the road where they are 3-9. Coach Mike Brown will return from his one-game suspension for making contact with an official in Saturday's loss to Utah.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (14-10): Paul Pierce moved past Larry Bird into second place on Boston's all-time scoring list in Tuesday's win over Charlotte. Rajon Rondo's return has been the biggest thing to happen to the Celtics in the last week. Rondo had 14 assists for the second straight contest on Tuesday and didn't commit a turnover in 33 minutes. He's averaging 11.7 assists and 7.3 points in three games since returning from a wrist injury. Rondo, who missed eight games with the injury, is averaging 9.8 assists and 3.8 turnovers this season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Lakers C Andrew Bynum had 20 points and 20 rebounds Monday. He's averaging 20.8 points and 13.2 rebounds in his last four games.
2. Celtics F Kevin Garnett has made 26 of 40 shots from the field and is averaging 20.3 points in his last three games.
3. The teams split their two meetings last season with each winning on the road.