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Regardless of a 40-point night time from Anthony Davis, the Celtics defeated the Lakers 126-115 on the Crypo.com Enviornment on Christmas Day. The beginning lineup scored 108 of the staff’s 126 factors; Kristaps Porzingis led the cost with 28 factors on 11-19 capturing, whereas Jayson Tatum (25 factors), Jaylen Brown (19 factors), Derrick White (18 factors), Jrue Vacation (18 factors) every had stable nights of their very own.
The Celtics jumped out to an 18-point first quarter lead, misplaced that lead within the second quarter, however in the end regained management of the sport within the second half and led by double digits for a lot of the fourth quarter.
Anthony Davis dominated offensively, ending with 40 factors on 15-26 FG, however his offensive explosion was not sufficient to beat the Celtics’ well-balanced assault.
Jayson Tatum completed with 25 factors, 8 rebounds, and a season-high 7 assists. Whereas he struggled together with his shot (1-6 from three), Doc Rivers, one of many ESPN announcers on the printed, mentioned his well-rounded efficiency reminded him of Magic Johnson.
When requested by ESPN’S Cassidy Hubbarth about Rivers’ remark after the sport, he chuckled.
“I don’t find out about Magic, however now we have a dynamic staff,” Tatum mentioned. “It’s straightforward to play with these guys.”
Jrue Vacation and Derrick White had dominant two-way performances towards the Lakers. Vacation shot 7-10 from the sector, grabbed 7 boards, dished out 7 assists, and received a block and a steal. As has develop into customary, he additionally made a number of large defensive performs that didn’t present up within the stat sheet.
White’s 18 factors got here on 8-13 capturing; he additionally completed with two blocks and two steals. Heading into tonight, White had 4 consecutive video games with at the least three blocks. That streak got here to an finish towards the Lakers, however his protection remained stellar.
Within the second quarter, Lebron James’s knee collided into Jaylen Brown’s again, main the 2 to fall to the bottom in ache. Brown missed the remainder of the half, and was listed questionable to return with a decrease again contusion, however re-entered the sport to begin the second half.
Brown was comparatively quiet the remainder of the sport, however nonetheless completed with 19 factors. Seven of these got here within the opening minutes, when the Celtics jumped forward to a 12-0 lead.
Payton Pritchard offered a set off the bench within the second quarter, when he scored 10 consecutive factors for the Celtics to maintain them in it when the Lakers made their run.
Of observe, Luke Kornet, who missed six straight video games with an adductor pressure, was accessible to play however didn’t see the courtroom. As an alternative, Neemias Queta received seven minutes of run, at occasions trying a bit overwhelmed by Anthony Davis’s submit presence. Sam Hauser performed 14 minutes off the bench, however struggled from the sector, ending 0-4 from three.
Exterior of Davis, the Lakers offense struggled. Lebron James completed with 16 factors on 5-14 capturing, whereas Rui Hachimura completed with 12 factors on 5-14 FG. Taurean Prince, a brand new addition to the beginning lineup, scored 17 factors (5-12 on three-pointers).
The win means the Celtics maintain a league-best 23-6 file, and end their California highway journey 3-1. They gained three straight (Kings, Clippers, Lakers) after falling to the Warriors in extra time to begin the journey. Their subsequent recreation is at residence on Thursday at 7:30pm towards the Detroit Pistons.
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