BSJ Game Report: Celtics 111, Lakers 101 - Stars dominate, Horford steps up, in a big win

Everything you need to know about the Celtics' win over the Lakers, with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Lakers stormed out to a big lead as Boston struggled in the paint, but the defense tightened up and the Celtics got 23 combined from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the first quarter to tie the game. They took a four-point lead into halftime as they cashed in Lakers turnovers.  Boston dominated the third quarter thanks in large part to Al Horford to go up 20. The offense stagnated a little in the fourth and the Lakers made a run, but the Celtics held them off.

Box Score

HEADLINES

- Star power: Tatum had 40 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Brown had 31/6/2. Boston’s top dogs did it all, scoring 64% of the team’s points but also defending the whole night. This game is Exhibit A in the argument for Tatum and Brown as the league’s best duo. 

- Dad power: Horford was targeted over and over again by LeBron James and Luka Doncic and he held his own. He had three steals on the night to go along with a block, nine rebounds and 14 points. 

“You kind of have to prove yourself out there,” Horford said. “I don’t mind doing that.”

Horford held back a smile when he said that. He really wanted to smile but he’s too much of a pro to do that. 

- The Luka Doncic plan: The raw numbers look great for Doncic: 34 points on 50% shooting, but he was -19 for a reason. Boston targeted him over and over to pile up points and they forced five live-ball turnovers. This was very reminiscent of the NBA Finals plan. 

- Rivalry game: More on this later, but this was exactly what ABC was hoping for with this game. Tight to start, two huge runs by either team, star players coming through. This was great. And you could tell the Celtics really wanted it. 

TURNING POINT 

The game really turned in the third quarter, which started with a 19-2 Boston run. The lead got as high as 22 in that stretch. And even though the Lakers made a run in the fourth, the Celtics never lost their lead. I easily could choose the 9-3 mini-run to get the four-point lead back to double-digits after the Lakers fourth-quarter run, but I think dominating after halftime was bigger. 

THINGS I LIKED

- Jaylen Brown’s defense: This was NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, picking Doncic up full court, getting physical, forcing turnovers, and frustrating Doncic. 

- Jayson Tatum: Aside from getting a little 3-point happy later in the game, this was a dominant performance. Once again, he flirted with a triple-double, which I think is going to be the norm for him moving forward. I’ve said it before, start counting from this All-Star break and Tatum might average 7-8 assists a game for the next few seasons. He’s currently at 7.3 per game since the break. His career average is 3.8 and it’s 5.8 for this season. 

- Al Horford: He gets up for the big games. 

“I think it probably has to do with the importance of the game and understanding this is when the team needs me the most,” Horford said. “For me it’s just trying to find a way to have an impact. These types of games always come down to those little details and defending and rebounding, and that’s right up my alley. That’s what I enjoy to do. I was excited to be in this position and that’s my mindset in these games. It’s always been like, playing winning basketball. That’s what I want to do.”

- Jrue Holiday: Not a bad first game back with the mallet finger. His right pinky is in a splint underneath the wrap he’s wearing. He seemed to navigate everything well.

“I got a couple of shots up and it felt a little weird,” he said. “but I’ve been trying to shoot for the last few days so it was cool. I shot all right.”

He looked a little iffy to start, but he settled into the game nicely. He also busted out a Dr. Evil pinky to the mouth celebration after his one corner 3, which is hilarious. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

- Stagnant fourth: I’m not trying to overreact to a Lakers run, but I will say I didn’t like the Celtics offense to start the fourth. People will say they were playing with their food and letting up, but I disagree. It felt more like they were going for the knockout blow. It was a little too matchup hunt/iso/hunting 3-points-ish. 

I think they got away from what was working and they were now swinging for the head and missing, which allowed the Lakers to get some body shots in and make it close. 

HIGHLIGHTS

TAKES KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- Don’t say Joe Mazzulla doesn’t make adjustments. 

LeBron James was guarding Al Horford when the Lakers were getting the matchups they wanted. In the first half, we saw a lot of Horford in the dunker spot, which allowed LeBron to protect the rim. In the second half, the Celtics ran actions with Horford setting picks for Derrick White, who was guarded by Austin Reaves. 

That not only got Horford an advantageous matchup, it got LeBron onto the perimeter where he couldn't do anything but stick to White.

This wrinkle crushed the Lakers in the third and was part of the big run that built Boston’s 22-point lead. 

- Joe Mazzulla REALLY wanted to win this game.

Don’t believe the talk about this being another regular season game. Mazzulla WANTED this win. Tatum played 45:26, Brown played 41:37, and Horford played 37:20. 

“I’ve been around Joe long enough. I kind of know where his mind is at going into certain games,” Tatum said. “I knew tonight was going to be one of those 40-plus minute nights. … It’s still just regular season, they all count as one, but it’s special. It’s special to be a part of this rivalry with the guys that we have on both sides. You want to be a part of moments like this.”

Not only is Mazzulla the most competitive person on the planet, he grew up in Rhode Island as a Celtics fan. He knows all about this rivalry. He knows what it means to the franchise and the region. 

“Obviously it’s the Celtics-Lakers, and you’re a part of that, and that’s important,” Mazzulla said. “It’s my way of saying that you better win.”

It’s hard not to get caught up in the moment. A huge “Beat LA” chant broke out before the game. The crowd was loud throughout the whole thing, even when the Lakers were making a run. They never got quiet. 

“It was a great atmosphere tonight. Shoutout to the Celtics fans. It felt like a playoff-type intensity,” Brown said “Both teams came in and brought it from the jump. They started out the gate hitting shots. We matched them, hit some shots. They closed it back late. We were able to create some more separation, but it was a great energy game. Today was not one of those regular-season normal games where it's whatever. Tonight was a good day for basketball."

Next up: The Celtics host the Jazz on Monday