Injury setbacks plagued the Los Angeles Lakers before their clash with the Celtics, sidelining LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Despite the absence of their star duo, the Lakers orchestrated a remarkable 114-105 upset in Boston. James nursed an ankle soreness, while Davis grappled with Achilles tendinopathy and hip spasms, marking his second consecutive absence.
The defeat marked only the third home loss for the Celtics, who initially boasted a formidable 22-2 record at TD Garden. It also marked their third loss in the past fortnight, following their exceptional 20-0 home start.
Austin Reaves spearheaded the Lakers’ offense with an outstanding 32-point performance, registering a career-high seven 3-pointers. On the defensive end, the Lakers stifled Boston’s All-Stars, resulting in a subpar shooting night for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
For the Lakers, the victory served as a much-needed morale boost amidst a turbulent season, especially on the road against the Eastern Conference leaders. With the win, they leveled their road trip record at 2-2, following a thrilling double-overtime triumph over the Golden State Warriors.
Seizing an early lead, the Lakers maintained control throughout, extending a 24-15 advantage late in the first quarter to a commanding 60-46 lead by halftime. Although the Celtics narrowed the deficit to 98-88 at the start of the fourth quarter, they failed to bridge the gap significantly.
While Reaves shone with his stellar shooting, Tatum struggled to find his rhythm, requiring 21 shots to accumulate 23 points. Despite his All-Star accolade, Brown’s impact was modest, managing eight points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on a lackluster shooting performance.
The Lakers demonstrated prowess from beyond the arc, connecting on 19-of-36 attempts (52.8%), while the Celtics converted 16 of 48 shots (33.3%). Defensively, the Lakers displayed tenacity, amassing 11 steals and forcing 15 turnovers. They showcased impressive ball movement, assisting on 30 of their 38 field goals while committing just seven turnovers.
All five Lakers starters, alongside sixth man Rui Hachimura, contributed double-digit points. D’Angelo Russell, amidst trade rumors, delivered a notable performance, tallying 16 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds.
Despite the victory, the Lakers remain outside the playoff bracket, holding a 25-25 record and occupying the ninth spot in the Western Conference. As the trade deadline looms, Los Angeles faces mounting pressure to make strategic roster moves, albeit their recent triumphs over formidable opponents like Boston and Golden State offer a glimmer of hope amidst challenging times.
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