Celtics aim to end three-game skid vs. red-hot Lakers

The banged-up Boston Celtics are hoping to be back to 100 percent as they get ready to host the Los Angeles Lakers in a primetime matchup Monday. The Celtics have lost six of their last eight, playing most recently Saturday night without guard Kemba Walker (sore knee) and swingman Jaylen Brown (thumb sprain). Marcus Smart stepped up with a franchise-record 11 3-pointers, but Boston still fell 123-119 to the Phoenix Suns - its third straight loss.