Game 54 Preview: Celtics at Lakers

Paul Pierce and company will look to take down the
Lakers in The House That Kobe Built

After a tough loss in Denver last night, the Celtics (28-25) travel to Hollywood to take on the Lakers (25-29).

In their last meeting nearly two weeks ago, the Celtics demolished the Lakers 116-95. 

Tonight is the Lakers' first game since before the All-Star break. Going into the break, they lost three of their last five games. 

As a side note, Terrence Williams has been cleared to play and will be active for tonight's game.

As usual this time of year, trade rumors are swirling around the team like crazy. Although Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers have said otherwise on multiple occasions, there still is a possibility that tonight could be the last hurrah for the old gang. This could be the last time we see Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce or anyone else for that matter in a Celtics uniform, and what a better way to go out than sweeping the season series with the Lakers.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Celtics:

Courtney Lee 

Avery Bradley

Paul Pierce

Brandon Bass

Kevin Garnett

Lakers:

Steve Nash

Kobe Bryant

Metta World Peace

Earl Clark

Dwight Howard

Keys to the game:

1. RUN!: This may be tough to do, but it's one of the ways to beat the Lakers. Los Angeles is terrible in transition both offensively and defensively, so the Celtics need to capitalize on fastbreak opportunities. Boston is allowing 12.8 fastbreak points per game, which puts them in the top ten in the league. The Lakers are scoring 11.0 fastbreak points per game and are allowing a league-worst 16.1 fastbreak points per game. Boston may be tired, but they must take advantage of this glaring chink in the Lakers' armor.

2. Get to the line: The Celtics are going to be tired, which probably means a high volume of jump shots. At the same time, the Lakers are big on the interior and can make getting to the rim a difficult chore. Over their last three games, the Celtics are averaging only 18 free throws a game, which is the sixth-lowest in the league over that span. So what must the Celtics do? Get to the rim and force the refs to blow the whistle. They need to get to the line and get easy points. For the season, the Celtics are shooting 78.5% from the line, which is sixth-best in the league, so they're good when they get there. But that's just the problem: getting there.