What They're SayingKobe Bryant is getting up there in age, and his wrist has been bothering him for most of the season, but his drive to win another championship remains, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. "I'm obsessed about it. I've got to get it, " he said. "It's just one of those things. I can think of nothing else. "As a kid growing up, that's all I saw. I watched [Larry] Bird, I watched Magic [Johnson] and I watched [Michael] Jordan win multiple titles. You just kind of grow up saying this is how it should be. This is what I must do. I want another one. "Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald compares tonight's game to a boxing match:You can call it Celtics-Lakers if you want, but when these teams meet at TD Garden this evening, it may seem more like two aging boxers with championship belts in their wake. They will step into the parquet ring each hoping to show itself more worthy of a title shot.
WBO, WBC, IBF, NBA... after a while, they all run together. Lakers Player to Watch: Kobe BryantDoug Pensinger/Getty ImagesBryant continues to carry the Lakers on his shoulders despite a nagging wrist injury that finally seems to be getting back near full strength. He leads the NBA in scoring at 29 points per game and will be making another All-Star Game start at month's end. His sheer determination is unmatched.
He knows how important it is for the Lakers to have him out there every night, so he keeps toughing it out. That's the type of player Bryant has always been. His will to win is simply extraordinary. Prediction: 33 points, seven rebounds, seven assistsCeltics Player to Watch: Ray AllenElsa/Getty ImagesOne stat that's been overlooked so far this season is Allen's efficiency from beyond the arc. He's shooting an eye-popping 53 percent from long range even though he's jacking up nearly five per game. His previous career high for an entire season is 44 percent. So even though Allen's PPG total is at its lowest since his rookie years, he's still playing a major role for Boston.
Don't be surprised if the Lakers make a move for another option at the position before the deadline. After a dreadful start, the Celtics have really rounded into form over the past couple weeks. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games, including a current five-game winning streak. At least fans in Boston have something to cheer about right now. Where: TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and MoreJeff Gross/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Lakers (14-11) and Boston Celtics (14-10) face off on Thursday night in what's always one of the NBA's best matchups. Even though both teams have sputtered out of the gate this season, it's too early to take them out of the contender category. Derek Fisher has been Los Angeles' biggest problem. The veteran point guard's skills continue to diminish, and he's really starting to cause the team's offense to lag.
Teams have attempted to sell out to stop him, and he still keeping draining shots. It will be interesting to see if he can stay this hot for the entire campaign. Prediction: 18 points, four assists, three reboundsKey Matchup: Pau Gasol vs. Kevin GarnettGasol has watched his numbers dip this season because of Andrew Bynum's emergence. He needs to start being more aggressive on the offensive end.
Free Streaming Sites Working
https://allin1.cx/
Free Streaming Sites Working
https://allin1.cx/