Kobe Bryant makes final visit to Boston on Wednesday at Celtics

On Wednesday, Kobe Bryant will make his final career appearance in Boston when the Lakers (5-27) visit the Celtics (18-13).

Bryant, who will retire after the season, helped add two chapters to one of the greatest rivalries in professional sports. The Celtics beat the Lakers through the six-game 2008 NBA Finals.

The Lakers got revenge two years later, defeating Boston at the Staples Center in a lengthy seven-game battle.

The Celtics are currently the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, riding a four-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Lakers have five wins on the season, and have dropped four straight.

The Lakers are relatively healthy, as are the Celtics -- although David Lee has been struggling with a back issue.

Key matchup

Boston relies on multiple players for scoring but point guard Isaiah Thomas is leading the team at 20.7 points a game, along with 6.8 assists.

The Lakers always seem to have a particularly difficult time with the lightning-quick Thomas.

Jordan Clarkson will draw the assignment. So too could rookie D’Angelo Russell.

Clarkson is scoring 13.1 points with 2.5 assists a game. Russell is at 11.8 and 3.3, respectively.

X-factor

The Celtics can get big scoring bursts from Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk. They have a cast of solid players such as Jared Sullinger, Evan Turner, Amir Johnson, Marcus Smart and Lee.

Collectively, Boston scores 103.1 points a night while holding opponents to 98.7.

The Lakers are on the opposite end of that spectrum, allowing 107.3 while generating 96.3.

Bryant is the team’s leading scorer at 17.3 points a night, shooting 34.3% from the field. Lou Williams (13.1) and Julius Randle (11.4) are also averaging double figures.

Outlook

The Celtics are a scrappy, deep team fighting for playoff position in the East. The Lakers aren’t consistent enough to pick to win on Wednesday.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.