DOWN TO THE LAST SHOT: CELTS FALL TO LAKERS BY 2
Tatum matches career-high with 41 points in defeat
LOS ANGELES — So, is it safe to call Jayson Tatum a major NBA star yet?
Put in the midst of the NBA’s proudest showcase — a game when the Celtics and Lakers are at their best — Tatum put on arguably the greatest performance of his career, for now, anyway. From burying a 3-pointer over the fingertips of Anthony Davis to driving with impunity against Danny Green, the Celtics forward exploded with a careerhigh-tying 41-point performance.
“Tatum has reached a new height, man, superstar level and we all have to continue to improve and go with him,” said Jaylen Brown.
But as Tatum was reminded, great performances often don’t get it done in this matchup. The Celtics, after leading much of the way, simply couldn’t hold on down the stretch in a 114-112 loss to the Lakers.
By then the Lakers were blitzing Tatum repeatedly with Kentavius Caldwell-Pope at the head of the pressure, forcing the ball out of Tatum’s hands and trapping him with looks that the Celtics forward admittedly hasn’t seen him before.
He did manage to give the Lakers stopper a parting gift when, after scrambling to gather in a pass from Brown deep in the sideline, Tatum went up with a 3-point-attempt air ball while also catching Caldwell-Pope in the jaw with an elbow.
And that’s how Tatum’s night, and that of the Celtics, ended, with an offensive foul.
“I just wish we would have won. That’s all that really matters,” he said. “I know what I’m capable of, and my teammates know that. We know what each and every guy can do in here. But we just want to win at the end of the day.
“It was a step in the right direction. I definitely looked up to those guys and know how great they are individually. So I’m just trying to earn the respect of the guys that I look up to.”
Tatum was referring to the two Lakers stars who rectified a Jan. 20 loss in Boston yesterday. The combined forces of LeBron James (29 points, nine assists, eight rebounds) and Anthony Davis (31 points, 13 rebounds) was simply too much this time, evening the season series between these two potential NBA finalists at 1-1.
But the atmosphere, with
Tatum providing the kerosene, was contagious. He was generally the best player on the floor, at least until late, when he went from an 18-point third quarter that included 8-for-9 free-throw shooting to a four-point, 1-for-3 fourth.
“We have to continue to find ways to help him reach his potential, but at the same time we have to find ways to win games and be the team we’re supposed to be,” said Brown. “He’s playing unreal, man. He’s a joy to watch, and I wish we got the win. But to come in here and do what he did to the Lakers? Not many people can say they did that.”
Unfortunately, the Celtics had trouble generating offense once Caldwell-Pope and his helpers began forcing the ball out of Tatum’s hands.
Davis broke a 105-105 tie with a deep sideline 3-pointer with 2:07 left, but Gordon Hayward dribbled inside the Lakers center down the other end to hit a baseline jumper.
And Brown, after putting up a downtown air ball on his previous shot, hit from the corner with 1:17 left to give the Celtics a 110-108 lead.
Hayward missed, and James bulled his way to two free throws — a Celtics challenge was unsuccessful. James only hit the first, and the Lakers were given the ball after it went out of bounds during the ensuing rebound battle between Brown and Davis.
James then hit a step-back over Brown with 30 seconds left to put the Lakers back in front, 111-110.
Brown threw the ball away – a call Brad Stevens contested for a technical foul, though Davis missed the free throw.
Daniel Theis fouled out, sending Davis back to the line with 12.3 seconds left. This time he hit twice for a 113-110 lead. Grant Williams replaced Theis and was intentionally fouled by James with 11.3 seconds left. The rookie hit twice, cutting the LA lead to a point.
Davis, intentionally fouled, only hit the first of two. Smart drove the ball and kicked out to Tatum, who was called for that game-ending offensive foul.
With everyone from Bill Russell to Denzel Washington sitting courtside, there were plenty of reminders that this matchup could indeed be a Finals preview. Now the Celtics have to take the next step.
“That’s a great atmosphere — it don’t get much better than that,” said Brown. “And at the same time it was fun being out there and competing at the highest level, and at the same time it makes you thirsty competing in the post season. We still have a lot of work to do — I still have a lot of work to do continuing to improve.”