Half of the 2024-25 season has passed, and the Boston Celtics are holding onto the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The defending champs are in town to test both Los Angeles home teams.

MONTHS REMOVED FROM a second-round exit in the NCAA tournament, ending his freshman season at Duke University, 19-year-old Jayson Tatum relocated from Cameron Indoor Stadium to a tiny gym in Playa del Rey,

Just ahead of Dallas Mavericks star wing Luka Doncic (who is unlikely to win the award based on his injury history so far this season) and just behind Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ranking feels about right for Tatum, who has certainly not been playing the best ball of his current campaign in recent weeks.

On Monday, the NBA and the rest of the United States honors the great Martin Luther King Jr. in what has become a marquee day for the Association. Action in the

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took advantage of their mismatches against the Warriors and guided Boston to a big road win.

Analyzing Thursday’s Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94. With freshman star Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates in the stands, Tatum, a former Blue Devils standout, went 12 of 21 from the floor to help Boston break out of a recent shooting slump.

The reeling Warriors have now gone 9-18 since a 12-3 start and fallen to the outside looking in at the Western Conference play-in race.

The Mavericks will be without the services of Duke basketball pro Dereck Lively II for a few months.

Dallas improved to 23-19 while Oklahoma City remain top of the West with a 34-7 record. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Boston Celtics are keeping an eye on star forward Jayson Tatum's status for the January 22 game against the Clippers. Tatum is questionable with a shoulder injury, impacting the team's already notable season.