All is right in the world, at least for one night.
The Lakers picked up their best win of the season in their biggest game of the season, blowing out the Celtics, 117-96.
LA shot 42.9% from beyond the arc and held Boston to 37.8% shooting overall. LA won the points in the paint, second-chance points and fastbreak points battles.
Anthony Davis ended the game with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. LeBron James scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished six dimes. Austin Reaves had 23 points with six assists.
Gabe Vincent went 4-7 from behind the arc, ending with 12 points. Dalton Knecht pitched in with 13 points, draining a trio of 3-pointers. Max Christie had six points and four rebounds.
It was a 3-point shootout early with both teams lighting it up from behind the arc. The Celtics were shooting 60% while the Lakers were shooting 50% in the opening stages.
AD had a perfect start making all of his first four shot attempts. LA had gone up by six, but Boston quickly erased that lead.
The defense was non-existent as both teams continued to dominate offensively. Austin’s playmaking was on display with a lob to AD for the jam. LeBron scored four straight points adding to a growing lead for the Lakers. LeBron ended the quarter with a lethal dunk, putting LA up by 11 at the end of the first.
Payton Pritchard knocked down a three for the Celtics to open up the second quarter. Gabe answered with his second 3-pointer of the game. Boston’s offensive firepower was subdued quite a bit, letting the Lakers maintain a lead.
Austin connected with LeBron, who threw down his second emphatic dunk of the night. Austin then knocked down another 3-pointer.
Dalton joined the dunk party with one of his own off a pass by AD. At the midway point, the Lakers were up by 14.
The Celtics were down to 35% shooting from the field, while the purple and gold shot 50%. Gabe was having quite a game from behind the arc, knocking down his third of the game. LA’s hot shooting continued with Dalton draining two more threes.
Rui Hachimura drained one himself as well. Boston answered with a quick 5-0 run, but the quarter ended with AD converting on an and-1.
-At halftime, Los Angeles was up 67-48.
Boston opened the second half playing much better than they had in the first. Jayson drained two 3-pointers, going on a solo 6-0 to bring the Celtics deficit to 12. LA entered a long four-minute scoring drought. AD converted on two free throws, finally adding some points to the board for the Lakers.
LA’s offense was rough throughout the quarter, but Rui did convert a layup to stop some bleeding. Jaxson Hayes came into the game and scored four straight points.
Despite the Celtics trying to get it as close as possible, LA was able to hold onto a 15-point lead at the end of the third.
It was all Lakers to start the final frame. Austin and LeBron converted on midrange shots. The Celtics were looking tired and missing shots they’d usually make.
LA was on a 9-0 run until Jaylen made a midrange shot. A 3-pointer by Gabe forced a timeout for Boston.
Sam Hauser knocked down two 3-pointers, trying to give some life to a Celtics team in dire need of it. AD then went on a 4-0 run.
Boston waved the white flag with four minutes left in the game.
Key Takeaways:
We’ll just say the “Showtime” cast said it best.
The Lakers’ next game will be Saturday against the Golden State Warriors at 5:30 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
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