By Sameer Kini
Sports Editor

This week, both national and WA sports have important games to watch. Here are my picks to see for this week.

National – NBA Marquee Matchups. This week, the NBA has some great matchups involving some of the best teams in the league. The hometown Boston Celtics have two big games this week, the first of which will come against the rival Lakers.

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is one of the greatest in all of sports, and the next chapter will be written Thursday night when the C’s host the Lakers. The Lakers have been uncharacteristically weaker than usual this season, still touting a strong record however. The C’s, on the other hand, have been consistently solid all year long and look to continue their success against powerhouse teams. I expect the Celtics to pull this one out in Boston, but expect a close one.

Two other games worth watching this week come on Sunday. First, Boston’s Big 3 hosts the Miami Heat, who have bounced back from their early season struggles to show they have a shot at the NBA title. So far this season, the C’s have dominated the Heat, beating them in both previous matchups. However, this game would be a huge victory for the Heat if they can pull it off to prove they can beat the C’s in Boston. I still go with the C’s in this one, as they will make a big push to win these big games before the schedule eases. After that game, the Lakers take on the Magic in Orlando. The Magic have been quietly gelling well following their trade for Turkoglu and Arenas, and I expect their success (and the Lakers’ downfall) to continue on Sunday, as the Magic should pick up the W.

WA – Boys’ Basketball. This week, the boys take on 3 DCL rivals in important late-season games. First up is Newton-South tonight in Newton. The boys look to continue their great success which they have had all season, and I expect them to handle a solid Newton-South team. Next after that is the highlight of the week, Acton-Boxborough on Friday night. The Grey Ghosts will host AB at 7:30 in their third meeting of the season. So far the season series is split 1-1, and the games could not have been closer, with WA winning the first meeting during the Lowell Holiday Tournament and AB winning in Acton in early January. This game has serious DCL implications, but I expect the home crowd to pull the Grey Ghosts through, as they edge AB to take the season series, but expect a close, exciting game. Last this week, the Grey Ghosts will travel to Lincoln-Sudbury on Monday, where I expect them to follow up their performance against AB with a win. Hopefully WA can continue their amazing season, as they look to go 3-0 during this week’s games.