There are several heated rivalries in the NBA, but one stands above them all: the Los Angeles Lakers (27-26 SU, 23-28-2 ATS) versus the Boston Celtics (34-19 SU, 28-25 ATS). They’ll meet for the first time this season on Thursday at the TD Garden, starting at 8 PM ET on TNT. But will LeBron James be there? Or Kyrie Irving?
James (groin) made his return from a 17-game absence last Thursday and played 40 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers, only to miss the following game against the Golden State Warriors after feeling sore. He’s officially listed as day-to-day; so are Lonzo Ball (ankle) and Ivica Zubac (finger), who could also find themselves shipped out of town before Thursday’s trade deadline – if the Lakers are serious about acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Irving (hip) is wrapped up in the Davis situation, too. Is he planning to leave Boston during the offseason and reunite with James in Los Angeles – preferably with his good pal Davis joining them? At the very least, Irving will miss Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as will Aron Baynes (foot) and possibly Robert Williams (back).
