Lakers Coach Reveals What Makes Celtics Such A Tough Matchup

The Boston Celtics are playing really good basketball, and teams around the league are taking notice.

Prior to Friday night’s rivalry game at TD Garden, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the Celtics during his pregame press conference.

“They’re really good. I think they have an identity every night in terms of how they play,” Redick told reporters. “Jaylen is playing at a high level. Derrick White has picked up his shooting and his scoring since some early-season struggles there…There’s a lot of things you got to be worried about playing this team.”

JJ Redick on the Celtics:

“They’re really good. I think they have an identity every night in terms of how they play. Jaylen is playing at a high level. Derrick White has picked up… There's a lot of things you got to be worried about playing this team.” pic.twitter.com/osameOhvdT

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) December 5, 2025

Redick saw that first-hand on Friday night as Boston routed the Lakers 126-105. Los Angeles was short-handed on the second night of a road back-to-back, playing without Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

The Celtics outplayed the Lakers from the jump, outscoring them by 22 points in the first quarter and cruising from there. They were unstoppable from deep, sinking a season-high 24 3-pointers.

To Redick’s point, Boston has won four straight games and nine of its last 11, improving to 14-9. The Celtics have excelled on both sides of the ball and own one of the best net ratings in the NBA despite missing their best player, Jayson Tatum.

Boston will look to stay hot on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors on the road.