PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers face the Boston Celtics on Friday night at TD Garden, with the Lakers carrying a 16-5 record against Boston's 13-8 mark. Both teams arrive fresh off victories on Thursday, with the Celtics dominating Washington 146-101 while the Lakers edged Toronto in a back-and-forth affair. Austin Reaves delivered a stellar 44-point, 10-assist performance to lead Los Angeles, showcasing the offensive firepower that has made them dangerous on the road. Unfortunately, neither team has available ShotQuality data at this time, but the absence of detailed shot-selection metrics shouldn't overshadow what promises to be a compelling matchup between two teams operating at different tempos and philosophies. Injury uncertainty clouds the proceedings, as Boston may operate without Jaylen Brown due to illness while the Lakers' superstar status remains unclear for personal reasons, though LeBron James is expected to suit up. The Celtics rank last in pace with just 99.4 possessions per game and deploy strong defensive discipline that should slow the game's rhythm. The Lakers typically avoid pushing tempo themselves, ranking 24th in possessions per game, which could result in a more grind-it-out affair than casual fans might expect. Boston has won four of five heading into this showdown, while Los Angeles has demonstrated road resilience that will be tested in an arena known for its hostile environment.