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The exhilarating rivalry of the NBA makes its grand return as the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Boston Celtics this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
For the first time in four decades, both franchises meet in a regular-season contest over 50 games deep into the season, each situated among the top two teams in their conferences. The last occurrence of this situation was on February 17, 1985, when Magic Johnson led the Lakers to a thrilling 117-111 victory over Larry Bird’s Celtics in Los Angeles.
Fast-forward to 2025, where just over five weeks remain in the regular season, and both teams are heading into the playoffs with distinct strategies for achieving wins.
After acquiring Luka Dončić in a trade with LeBron James before the deadline, many anticipated a showcase of offensive prowess from the Lakers. However, it has been their steadfast defense that has powered an impressive eight-game winning streak, as the team boasts an 8-2 record in their last 10 outings while leading the league in defensive efficiency (107.1).
“Our team’s dedication to defense right now is impressive,” Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked after Monday’s practice. “We possess some excellent defenders, but true team defense is about relying on one another.”
Dončić, renowned for his relentless offensive skills, has readily embraced the Lakers’ newfound commitment to defense. In a gritty overtime victory against the Knicks on Thursday, he contributed four of the team’s seven steals, clinching the game with a fadeaway jumper and a long-range three-pointer during overtime. His capacity to disrupt passing lanes will be crucial against Boston’s perimeter-oriented offense.
On the offensive end, Dončić has integrated effortlessly with James, achieving consecutive double-doubles. His 30-point, 15-assist, and 8-rebound outing against New Orleans on March 4 made him only the fourth player in Lakers history to record over 30 points and at least 15 assists in a game, joining the ranks of Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and LeBron James. Furthermore, he and James became the first duo in Lakers history to each score 30-plus points and hit five or more three-pointers in the same game.
Even in his 22nd season, LeBron James continues to showcase his dominance. In 14 matchups against Jayson Tatum, their statistical outputs are strikingly similar: James averages 25.6 points per game and 2.3 three-pointers made, while Tatum averages 25 points per game with 2.5 three-pointers made. Additionally, Dončić has a history of excelling against the Celtics, standing third all-time in points per game against Boston with an average of 29.9.
With the Lakers limiting opponents to a mere 30.7% shooting from three-point range over their last eight games, their ability to challenge Boston’s outside shooting will be a pivotal factor in this clash.
Having secured their 18th NBA title last June, thus breaking a tie with the Lakers, the Celtics have managed to remain in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference despite facing some injuries through the season.
Their longest setback this year? Just two games, which underscores their depth and consistency.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the driving force, averaging a combined 50 points per game, ranking sixth among NBA duos with a total of 2,754 points. Much of the credit goes to Boston’s three-point shooting success, which is central to their offensive strategy.
The Celtics lead the league in three-point attempts, with over half (53.3%) of their shots coming from beyond the arc. They also top the charts in three-point makes (17.9 per game) and shoot an impressive 37.2% from deep. Their bench has also been effective, hitting 38.9% from beyond the arc on 13.8 attempts per game.
Reserve guard Payton Pritchard has been a key contributor, leading all bench players with 207 three-pointers made this season. Boston’s outside shooting threats are historically significant, as Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Pritchard have become just the third trio in NBA history to each hit over 200 three-pointers in a single season.
A couple more noteworthy points to consider:
With both teams firing on all cylinders, Saturday’s match promises to be yet another unforgettable entry in this storied rivalry.
