Celtics try to snap skid vs. Lakers

Boston lost its 12th straight game on Tuesday when the Indiana Pacers overcame 17 missed free throws to knock off the Celtics, 103-96.

Al Jefferson scored 15 points to go along with 17 rebounds for the Celtics, who haven’t won since topping Memphis on the road, 128-119, on January 5.

Should Boston loss again tonight, it would tie the franchise mark for consecutive losses in a season, established twice in the 1990s. The first time was February 1 - March 2, 1994, and that was equaled from February 5 - March 1 of the 1996-97 campaign.

Just four of Boston’s 12 victories on the season have come at home, where the Celtics will host LA teams in succession. The Clippers roll into town Friday.

The Lakers, meanwhile, lost their third game in a row Tuesday and did so without star guard Kobe Bryant in the lineup. Bryant missed Los Angeles’ 99-94 loss to the New York Knicks after being suspended by the league earlier in the day.

The 6-foot-6 guard was suspended for one game without pay for hitting San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili in the face in Sunday’s 96-94 overtime loss.

Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Vladimir Radmanovic scored 18 points and also grabbed nine boards. LA was again without forward Luke Walton, who is sidelined with a right ankle sprain.

The three-game skid is a season-high for the Lakers, who were beginning an eight-game road trip. The team has lost five of their last six overall.

The numbers aren’t in Boston’s favor for tonight’s tilt. The Celtics are 0-5 against the Pacific Division, while the Lakers are 4-0 against the Atlantic. Los Angeles had lost two in a row to the Celtics before a 105-97 win in Boston in the team’s most recent meeting in March of last year.

The Lakers have still won five of seven overall and two of three in Boston.