Final: Celtics 111, Lakers 101 - Tatum & Brown combine for 71

BOSTON CELTICS (45-18) vs. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (40-21)

TD Garden, 8:30 p.m. - ABC

Line: Celtics -7

INJURIES

Boston: Kristaps Porzingis (OUT, illness)

Los Angeles: Jaxson Hayes (OUT, knee), Rui Hachimura (OUT, knee), Maxi Kleber (OUT, foot)    

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Jump on them early: This building is buzzing. The line to get in was up the block hours before the game. It’s a Saturday night, so people have been pre-gaming. If ever there was a powder keg ready to explode during an opening run that forces a Lakers timeout, this is it. Get on them early, get the crowd involved, and ride that energy. 

2. Packing the paint: The Lakers love to drive and get to the foul line. The Celtics are going to do their level best to pack the paint and force everyone into mid-range jumpers. They're going to try to bait the Lakers into trading 2s for 3s and play the math game. 

3. Jaylen Brown guarding Luka Doncic: He’ll want to take that challenge. The Celtics have an advantage of being able to guard guys more straight up than other teams, so let’s see if Brown can stay in front and let the rest of Boston’s defenders stay home. The fewer assists Doncic gets, the better.

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.