NBA: Five Reasons Lakers Vs. Celtics Game Is Most Pivotal of NBA Season

Are the Los Angeles Lakers poised for a three-peat? 

They have the talent to do so, but right now they're not the best team in the league. 

The game tonight against the Boston Celtics is very important for the Lakers. If they win, people will be discussing how the Lakers are back and all is well. If they lose, several questions will start to arise about what the Lakers have to do to get better. 

They'll definitely make the playoffs, but how far will they go? We will learn a lot about the Lakers tonight. Can the Celtics sweep, or will the Lakers make it a season split? 

Here are five reasons this game is crucial tonight. 

5. A Loss Could Spell Disaster

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a break in the action against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 97-107. NOTE TO USER: User ex

If the Lakers lose tonight, everyone will wonder what has happened to them. So many people will write them off for this season. 

Fans and media will begin to speculate as to why the Lakers are struggling. Listen people, this team will be okay. They're 36-16 and in third place in the Western Conference. The Lakers are only one game out of second place.

The Lakers are on a seven-game road trip. They won the first two, but if they lose tonight it could greatly affect their play over the next four games.  

If they don't win tonight they will be 1-7 against all the top teams in the league. Not a good stat to have, but when the playoffs come around it's a whole different ball game. 

4. It's the Best Rivalry in Basketball

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics in the second half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96

These two teams do not like one another. Off the court some of them may be pals, but come gametime all of that is forgotten. 

The hate between these two teams goes way back. The Celtics won the first time they met this season, 109-96. Kobe Bryant dropped 41 points but the Lakers came up short.

It's always a good game between these two. This is a crucial game in the rivalry series. It's the 274th time they'll meet in the regular season. Boston owns the series record 153-120.

The NBA needs this to be what it typically always is: close. A blowout game between two of the best teams in the league would not be a good thing.   

3. Do the Lakers Need Carmelo Anthony?

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets look on during a break in the action at the Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOT

Whatever the outcome of the game is tonight we'll hear a bunch of talk about the Lakers and Carmelo Anthony tomorrow. If they lose people will say they're definitely going to trade for him. If they win everyone will say this team may be back to its finals form but let's keep an eye on them a little longer.

The Lakers are currently on a seven-game road trip. They won the first two but if they lose tonight it could shape the way they play the next few games. A losing road trip will probably spark the Lakers to make a change.

The purple and gold appear to need some help. Are they willing to give up their young star for a super star? Andrew Bynum may or may not be a future superstar. Will the Lakers break up the back-to-back championship team?  

The outcome of tonight's game will greatly impact their decision. 

2. The Celtics Can Prove They're the Best

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 06: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics is congratulated by teammates Paul Pierce #23,Glen Davis #11,Kevin Garnett #5 and Ray Allen #20 after Rondo drew the foul in the second half agianst the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2011 at t

Bryant called the Celtics the best team he has faced this season. The statement was made on John Ireland's radio show yesterday and later played on ESPN's First and Ten this afternoon. 

I was shocked he didn't even mention the San Antonio Spurs, but we'll save that for another story. The Celtics can make their case for the best team with a win tonight. 

They can prove that this is their year. They play team basketball as no player is averaging 20 or more points a game. Rajon Rondo is, surprisingly, the only player averaging a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists per game. 

If the Celtics can win tonight they'll sweep the Lakers on the season and gain more respect as one of the league's best.  

1. The Lakers Have to Win

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24, Ron Artest #15, Lamar Odom #7, Pau Gasol #16 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch from the bench during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 20

The Lakers are 1-6 this season against the Celtics, Spurs, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls. Those are the top teams in the league this season and the Lakers have struggled against them. 

They will make the playoffs because they own the Pacific Division. The other teams in that division are mediocre at best. But a loss tonight would send Lakers fans in a panic frenzy. It might make the franchise do something crazy, like a trade.

Tonight is definitely a must win for the Lakers. This game has a lot riding on it. A win would give the Lakers some confidence heading towards the All-Star break. They haven't beaten the elite teams this season, and they need to start doing it now.