Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2019 ) Boston 104, L.A. Clippers 107

The Boston Celtics look to start a new winning streak when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams. Boston won seven straight games and 10 of 11 before suffering a 116-105 road loss against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

The Celtics shot just 43.5 percent from the field and were sloppy with 18 turnovers while having issues matching up with Houston's new small-ball alignment. "We were stagnant on offense," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters afterward. "Part of the switching can do that to you and the physicality - they're so physical when you set a ball screen - that you can't create separation. So we finally got better at it as the game was going on." The Clippers are 1-2 entering the finale of a four-game road trip after falling 110-103 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. "I thought we lost the game because we didn't play with any continuity offensively," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters after a game in which standout forward Paul George was just 3-of-15 shooting while scoring 11 points.

TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: TNT, Prime Ticket, Sportsnet One

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (37-17): All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard recorded 30 points and nine assists against the 76ers and has reached the 30-point mark in 10 of his past 13 appearances. Leonard has made multiple 3-pointers in his last seven appearances, knocking down 23-of-49 attempts during the stretch. Shooting guard Lou Williams was just 5-of-15 shooting for 13 points versus Philadelphia and he is shooting just 34.4 percent (56-of-163) over his past 11 outings.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (37-16): Shooting guard Jaylen Brown almost sat out Tuesday due to an ankle injury but now he has a second ailment to deal with after departing in the fourth quarter with an injured calf. Stevens termed the injury as a contusion - "he got his calf kicked," Stevens said - and it is possible the Celtics will hold him out in the final game before the break to avoid any health setbacks. Brown scored 19 points against the Rockets and has tallied 20 or more in six of the past 10 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers have won the past four meetings, including a 107-104 home overtime win on Nov. 20.

2. Boston All-Star PF Jayson Tatum scored 15 points against Houston to halt stretches of five games with at least 25 and nine contests of at least 20.

3. Los Angeles PG Patrick Beverley (groin) is questionable after missing the past three games.

PREDICTION: Celtics 111, Clippers 105