Los Angeles, CA – Yes, we know that the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was only one game on an 82-game regular season schedule. But it was an important one. The NBA basketball game between the two longtime rivals felt differently, though.
One team dominated. The other team got pushed around. In years past, when the Lakers played the Celtics, the games played out in drama and basketball acumen. For a while, it was a rivalry unmatched. It appears that’s not the case anymore.
The Lakers suffered a disappointing loss to the Celtics, getting thumped 118-89 in front of a Crypto.com Arena crowd in downtown Los Angeles.
“I thought they did a good job,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “Every time we kind of got a little bit of little momentum they either called timeout or, you know, a swing of momentum back in their possession. So, that’s what they do. They play hard.”
The contest between the Lakers and Celtics, even though there is still a second half to the season to wrap up, may have provided a preview into what a possible matchup in the NBA Finals could look like.
The Celtics are the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers are thick in the middle of things in the Western Conference as they sit at the No. 5 position.
Boston was by far the more physical and aggressive team, and the Lakers looked completely unorganized. Losing to the Celtics always stings, but the way the Lakers looked outmatched should alert their pride.
LeBron James, who made 9 of 21 shots and wound up with 20 points in the game, said the Lakers had opportunities, but failed to kick the door down.
“We had some really good looks,” said James. “I think they had a good game plan defensively, forcing us to take some shots. I mean, sometimes you just have to make shots. They made timely shots when we didn’t. We didn’t give ourselves a good chance on the offensive end.”
Facing the Celtics for the second and final team of this regular season, the Lakers hoped to even up the season series with a win. In the first quarter, both teams went back and forth, showing good competitiveness.
The Celtics star Jaylen Brown was very aggressive attacking the rim, which would last throughout the game. Lakers star Luka Doncic known for first quarter hot starts was contained mostly by the Celtics defensive pressure.
At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 28-28. The Celtics then began to impose their will for the remainder of the game.
“You have to play coherent, efficient, disciplined, like real offense,” Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla. “And so, I thought we did a good job of that and then they only had one dunk, they average five. That helps a lot, and we just didn’t give up the little stuff, whether it’s the cuts.”
Offense would be a struggle for the Lakers, as defensively the Celtics increased their pressure and aggressiveness. Having a functional and sometimes dynamic offense is what the Lakers look to hang their hat on. Boston and their defense bothered the Lakers offense all night.
“We did enough defensively, we were just awful offensively tonight,” said Lakers head coach JJ Reddick.
The Lakers are not known for their defense, and while it was not great against the Celtics in this matchup, it very well could have been enough to secure the win.
Boston took the Lakers out of their rhythm on offense by being physical on both sides of the ball. Lebron James, Luka Doncic, and Reaves carry significant offensive firepower to lead the Lakers every night, and yet that was not the case.
There was no flow, attacking the basket was restricted or non-existent, and shots weren’t falling consistently from stars or role players.
Jaylen Brown (32 points) and Payton Pritchard (30 points) led the Celtics in scoring. Both players were just in attack mode and there was no answer. Brown and Pritchard had 62 combined points between each other, while the Lakers star trio only combined for 60 points together. It was an all around effort from the Celtics.
It may not have been their best game, but their physicality, toughness, and aggression rose to the occasion in this rivalry game.
Toughness and athleticism is something the Lakers constantly are challenged with. However, when a historic rival such as the Celtics come to town a better effort is expected. It turned out to be a disappointing loss to the Celtics, one that the Lakers will have to hang onto until next season.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) attempts to dunk the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
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