In a classic rivalry renewed, the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Boston Celtics 128-126 in a thrilling overtime battle at the TD Garden on Saturday night. The game lived up to its historic billing, featuring 18 lead changes and 10 ties, keeping the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. LeBron James led all scorers with a season-high 42 points, while Jayson Tatum answered with 38 points for the Celtics in a losing effort.
The first quarter set the tone for a high-scoring affair, with both teams shooting over 55% from the field. The Celtics jumped out to an early 12-point lead behind Tatum's hot hand, as he connected on his first four three-point attempts. However, the Lakers closed the quarter on a 15-4 run, capped by a Anthony Davis alley-oop dunk from James, to trim the deficit to just one point, 34-33, heading into the second period.
Anthony Davis was a force in the paint throughout the night, finishing with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. His defensive presence altered countless Celtics attempts at the rim, particularly in the third quarter when he recorded three consecutive blocks on drives by Jaylen Brown. Davis also played a crucial role in overtime, securing two offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points for the Lakers.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 68 points for the Celtics, with Brown adding 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The duo seemed unstoppable at times, exploiting mismatches and hitting contested shots. However, Tatum's potential game-winner at the end of regulation rimmed out, forcing overtime. In the extra period, Brown committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds left and the Celtics trailing by one.
The Lakers' supporting cast made significant contributions, with D'Angelo Russell scoring 18 points and dishing out 12 assists. His three-pointer with 1:12 remaining in overtime gave the Lakers a lead they would not relinquish. Austin Reaves provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, including a four-point play in the fourth quarter that ignited a 10-0 Lakers run.
Defensive intensity ramped up in the fourth quarter, with both teams committing key stops. The Celtics forced the Lakers into 8 turnovers in the period, converting them into 12 points. However, the Lakers clamped down in the final three minutes of regulation, holding Boston scoreless on five consecutive possessions. This defensive stand allowed them to overcome a 5-point deficit with under four minutes to play.
LeBron James delivered a vintage performance, adding 10 rebounds and 8 assists to his 42 points. His leadership was most evident in crunch time, as he orchestrated the offense and hit a difficult fadeaway jumper with 15 seconds left in overtime to put the Lakers up by three. James played 44 minutes despite being questionable before the game with a nagging ankle injury.
The victory improves the Lakers' record to 35-29, moving them into the 8th seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Celtics fall to 48-14 but remain atop the Eastern Conference. The two teams will meet again on April 15th in what promises to be another compelling chapter in the NBA's most storied rivalry, with playoff implications likely on the line for both franchises.