Celtics look like a force in victory over Lakers
LOS ANGELES
The Boston Celtics opened a four-game swing through California last week by blowing a lead against the Golden State Warriors, stirring up painful memories of the lategame struggles that prematurely ended recent postseason runs.
Since then, Boston has left no doubt, taking care of business in blowout victories over the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers before ruining the L.A. Lakers’ Christmas with a convincing 126-115 win Monday.
The Celtics used the holiday stage to state their case as the NBA’s best team and the favorites to win the 2024 title by immediately seizing control against their archrivals at Crypto.com Arena.
Boston improved its record to 23-6, flashing improved balance on the heels of a splashy offseason that included trades for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. All five Celtics starters scored in double figures, and they put away the Lakers (1615) with suffocating defense in the second half.
The new-and-improved Celtics, who rank third in offensive efficiency, fifth in defensive efficiency and second in point differential, have displayed greater consistency thanks to the league’s most talented starting lineup. Boston can score in volume even when star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggle to shoot, as they did Monday, and its defense boasts size, athleticism, length and plenty of postseason experience.
“We expected to be good,” Tatum said. “We know what our ultimate goal is. We all know how to play the game. It was only a matter of time for us jelling. We’ve been playing really, really well. ... We haven’t had a lowpost presence like [Porzingis] since I’ve been on the Celtics. He creates so many problems [for opposing defenses].”
Monday was emblematic of Boston’s ability to find successful counters and auxiliary options. Facing persistent questions about its heavy dependence on the threepoint shot, the Celtics went 13 for 42 (31 percent) from deep yet still cruised to the win thanks to a varied attack that applied constant pressure to the Lakers’ interior defense and a defensive effort that held the Los Angeles supporting cast in check.
Porzingis, who finished with a team-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, showed off his mid-range game and his ability to finish at the rim. Holiday added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Derrick White posted 18 points and 11 assists to go with several key defensive stops.
“We’re like a really powerful engine,” Porzingis said. “We just have that margin. If the threes were falling tonight, it would have been a plus-20 or plus-25 game for us . ... We’ve been starting to run a bit more, get out in transition more. We’re even more dangerous when we get out and run.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said his team was “a little lethargic” after playing six of its previous seven games on the road.
Anthony Davis was the Lakers’ driving force, posting a game-high 40 points to go with 13 rebounds and four assists. LeBron James had 16 points on 5-for-14 shooting from the field.