Jayson Tatum matched his career-high with 41 points but it wasn’t enough for the shorthanded Celtics in an eventful final minute as the Lakers escaped Staples Center with a 114-112 victory. Anthony Davis led the hosts with 32 points and 13 rebounds while LeBron James added 29 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds including the eventual game-winning jumper with just under 30 seconds remaining to extend the Lakers winning streak to five in an instant classic.
Boston led by as many as eight points in the second half but Tatum was slowed down the stretch (just four points in the fourth quarter) as the Lakers threw double teams at him and the C’s couldn’t execute (17 turnovers) with the added ball pressure consistently. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and Daniel Theis added 16 points for the starting five who combined for over 100 points (101 overall) for the second straight game.
The C’s now head to Portland for a matchup with the Blazers who will be without Damian Lillard due to injury.
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jayson Tatum
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Gordon Hayward
C: Daniel Theis
- The Celtics have ruled out Kemba Walker for the second straight game after receiving an injection in his knee. His status remains day-to-day going forward.
- Anthony Davis is probable for this matchup but the rest of the Lakers lineup is healthy. LA is riding a four-game winning streak heading into the contests while the C's have won 12 of their last 14 games overall.
- The Celtics win over the Lakers last month was the biggest margin of defeat for the Lakers this season.