The Lakers will be shorthanded as they face the Celtics at 7 p.m. Friday in Boston in the latest edition of the classic rivalry. LeBron James was downgraded to doubtful for the game with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis. Luka Doncic also remains out due to personal reasons as he had a kid recently.

On the Celtics front, Marcus Smart is also out due to a left lumbar muscle strain. Smart hasn’t played since Nov. 25 because of the injury. He’s been an important member for Los Angeles, but he won’t get to play in a Lakers jersey in Boston.

The Lakers beat the Raptors 123-120 on a Rui Hachimura game-winning 3-pointer on Thursday. James had the game-winning assist on the play. But it also meant he didn’t score at least 10 points, snapping his streak of 1,297 games straight hitt

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