Star-Powered Celtics-Lakers Matchup Hurt By NBA’s Sloppy Scheduling

There is an argument to be made that the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics is the greatest that the NBA has to offer.

With 35 NBA Championships between the two of them, one more belonging to Boston, no two teams come close to the amount of shared pedigree.

So it is only right that the matchup be treated as such, or so you’d think.

Instead, each of the NBA’s two flagship organizations will do battle in the second game of a back-to-back.

On Thursday, the Celtics beat the Washington Wizards in a 45-point blowout in the nation’s capital. The same day, the Los Angeles Lakers were in Canada, beating the Toronto Raptors in a thrilling buzzer-beater.

Boston radio personality Mike Felger went off on the NBA’s sloppy schedule Friday afternoon on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

“I do not get the NBA’s schedule makers,” Felger said. “What are they doing? Why did they do that?

“Back-to-backs have to happen, I understand, why do they not work harder to make sure that the marquee games are not on the back-to-back?”

Felger continued his passionate rant, citing the number of star players that would be missing from Friday’s game. He said that, if anything, matchups with the Wizards or Raptors should be the second game of a back-to-back, not the first.

“Why don’t you flip it, you dopes?” Felger said. “It also could be LeBron James’ last trip into Boston, and he might not play because it’s the second of a back-to-back.”

Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart are both out for tonight’s game at TD Garden. LeBron James will be a game-time decision.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum remains the only player on the injury report.

Tip-off is at 7 pm ET Friday on Prime Video.