Celtics dominate Lakers and win classic in Christmas round

Jayson Tatum didn't want the turnover 😂 pic.twitter.com/M96nqgTL3O

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 26, 2023

With all starters surpassing the 18-point mark, Boston secured a solid victory over its rival

In a duel of great rivalry, the Boston Celtics (23-6) and Los Angeles Lakers (16-15) faced each other at the Crypto.com Arena in a game valid for the NBA Christmas round, this Sunday (25). With a superior collective game, the Celts dominated their rival and won by a score of 126 to 115.

Opening an early lead, the Celtics watched their opponent balance the game and even turn the game around in the third period, but they soon regained their good rhythm and dominated again in the second half.

All of the team’s starters surpassed the 18-point mark, with emphasis on Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s scorer with 28 points with 11 of 19 shooting efficiency, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Derrick White also recorded a double-double on the night with 18 points and 11 assists.

However, Boston’s second highest scorer was Jayson Tatum with 25 points, 6/15 shooting and 12/13 free throws, in addition to eight rebounds and seven assists. Finally, Jrue Holiday (18 points and 3/5 3PT) and Jaylen Brown (19 points and three steals) also contributed good numbers in the victory.

For the Lakers, Anthony Davis was the main name. The pivot returned to a double-double performance with 40 points on 15/26 shooting and 13 rebounds on the night. LeBron James flirted with a triple double, despite an uninspired game. The “King” finished the game with 16 points on 5/14 shooting, nine rebounds and eight assists. Furthermore, Taurean Prince was the home team’s main player on the perimeter, hitting five three-pointers and scoring 17 points.

The new victory reaffirms Boston’s good phase this season. The team has won 11 of its last 13 games, setting the NBA’s best record at 23-6. Interestingly, the Celtics have their next game against the Detroit Pistons, the franchise with the worst record in the league and which has not won in 26 games, next Thursday (28).

The Lakers, on the other hand, are experiencing instability after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament. The franchise records a 2-6 campaign after the unprecedented title and is in ninth place in the Western Conference. The Angelinos return to play in the early hours of Friday (29), against the Charlotte Hornets.

(Photo: Reproduction X / Boston Celtics)

THE GAME

Boston dominated the first two minutes of the game and opened a 12-point lead without conceding any baskets. With a well-placed defense and well-worked attacks, the team remained dominant for much of the opening period, leading by 18. However, the Lakers managed a 9-0 run in the last minutes and reached the end of the quarter trailing by 32 to 23.

Los Angeles followed the good rhythm of the game to further reduce the difference on the scoreboard. In the second quarter, the team trailed by ten when they went on a 9-0 run to leave just one possession behind, leaving it 47-46 for the Celtics.

The game would end up evening out in the second half of the quarter, with the Lakers responding well to Boston’s scoring attempts. With that, the game reached halftime at 58 to 57 for the visitors.

The Celtics returned to the third period even more aggressive in attack, getting free kicks early and making timely shots from the perimeter that would give the team a nine-point lead on the scoreboard. The pace remained and Boston won the partial stage by 40 to 32, reaching the final period winning by 99 to 90.

Porziņģis denies LeBron at the rim ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/2xJ3OIWng7

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 25, 2023

In the final quarter, the Celtics had no difficulty closing the game. Following the logic of the third period, the team attacked the opponent’s box well and abused shooting shots in the mid range. With LeBron James uninspired and the bench players not collaborating on both sides of the court, the Lakers didn’t have the strength to react. With a dominant match, Boston beat its rival 126 to 115.