Lakers-Celtics Part 2: Breaking Down the Big Game

The last time these two faced off it was on Dec. 25th and the Lakers snapped the 19-game winning streak of the Celtics 92-83. The LA Lakers went into that game as a slight home favorite at -2 pulling away late in the fourth quarter. Thursday's game in Boston finds the Celtics favored by -5.5 and many handicapping experts think this line will go up around the -7 point range. Lets breakdown both teams and see if we can help everybody pick a winner against the spread in this match up. The only thing holding back LA is injuries as of late. Bynum went out with another knee injury three games ago and will miss 8-12 weeks, if not rest of the season. Lakers are 3-0 since Bynum went out and Kobe is averaging over 40 in that time period, but they have not played the best competition in that stretch. Tonight's game will need Gasol to be a force rebounding and scoring in the paint. Last year in the playoffs Gasol was pushed around and Boston dominated the paint. On the perimeter... GET REST OF THE GAME ... (link)