The Celtics win an epic and controversial thriller against the Lakers!

Definitely among the NBA classics The Celtics and Lakers he kept all his promises this season.

It’s mid-December Boston from whom he took it Los Angeles a miraculous victory after extra time and at the end of an incredible scenario. Rebelote a month and a half later, as the C’s defeated their historic rival once again in overtime (125-121) after a crazy thriller!

Despite being huge LeBron James (41 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists) “Purple and Gold” had to lay down their weapons in the face of repeated attacks. Jaylen Brown (37 points, 9 rebounds) in hot moments Jason Tatum (30 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists) was able to be productive despite a difficult evening in shots.

This defeat at the beginning of a dangerous “road trip” will be difficult for the Lakers, who lead with a big possession (105-102) after 5 seconds of the end of the fourth quarter. time, but was eventually overtaken by the Celtics, cheated by the referee on LeBron James’ last offense, then tamed in overtime.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

— Jaylen Brown, the killer. To grab a stretch between his miraculous and-ones, then enjoy a stretch (11 points) with his award-winning baskets, shots and success from mid-range or near the rim (11 points), the back/Celtics winger is everything for the Lakers in hot moments. did Decisive performance from “JB” who had to play in the fourth quarter and overtime under the threat of five errors! But that didn’t stop him from scoring 20 of his 37 points in those two periods, after three first quarters where he was further behind, as whistles prevented him from …

— LeBron James favors Jayson Tatum. Sure, the four-time MVP bowed out at the finish, but he shined brightly in that stretch. Always very fair in scoring and creating, as well as an effort on defense, “LBJ” often shined at TD Garden and in front of one of the contenders for the title of MVP 2023. Because unlike James, nothing happened without him. On the Lakers side, Tatum had a harder time making an impact in this matchup. Except, finally, from this third quarter, he would score 15 points and let the Celtics take the lead. But that’s about all…

— Los Angeles sent it to overtime. The NBA’s arbitration announcement will be bittersweet for the Lakers tomorrow night. It could have given the Purple and Gold a win, especially since they finally recovered from that forgotten whistle on LeBron James’ recent reputation in the fourth quarter. Because, in those five bonus minutes, when Darwin Ham’s men did great things in the field for 48 minutes, the Celtics suffered under Jaylen Brown’s leadership, especially collapsing on defense. Annoying is the word.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Malcolm Brogdon. In general, Jayson Tatum was tough and Jaylen Brown was embarrassed by mistakes for a long time before going into the game alone in overtime, it was Malcolm Brogdon (26 points) who was often responsible for limiting the damage in this part, side Celtics . It showed why he is the favorite for Sixth Man of the Year. Fairly clean, as always, the 2017 MVP hurt the Lakers’ defense thanks to his ability to draw fouls and shots (7/8), make 3-pointers (3/7) or fight his way to the rim. . the The X factor of this matchup.

✅ Patrick Beverley. Except for the mistake, he could have been the leader (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists). the Lakers hero. Needless to say, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, he was all over the place, matching what he had produced up until that point: a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left, a big tap-dunk with 18 seconds left, a defensive rebound, then a free throw with 14 seconds left! Besides, “Pat-Bev” was also guilty of Jaylen Brown’s “one-on-one” equalizer…

⛔ Russell Westbrook. A new, highly complex performance from the 2017 MVP was not missed. Passed in scoring (12 points, but 4/14 on shots, including 0/3 on 3-pointers…), the Lakers’ leader always looked profitable. teammates on offense. Fortunately, he scored some valuable points in overtime or managed good shifts at times (7 assists), just to keep his head up a bit, even with the rebound in his hand (5 turnovers) he played in Los Angeles. Finally, a group that plays better off the field…

⛔ Al Horford. Not the best performance for the veteran interior (7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks), stronger under the panels in the absence of Robert Williams III, but clearly not having a good night. Shy and clumsy on offense (2/6 shooting, including 1/5 on 3-pointers…), he was also regularly targeted defensively by the Lakers, who looked to take advantage of his inactivity to lure him away. and then pass it to create openings with LeBron James, Dennis Schröder or Lonnie Walker IV. A match to forget for the Dominican, therefore.

PATRICK BEVERLY GOES TO GET A CAMERA

Patrick Beverley will also produce one of them emphasizes WTF contest of the season, going in search of a device to show the referees a forgotten whistle about LeBron James’ recent reputation! A gesture that will also earn him a technical foul when overtime is already recorded…

NEXT

Boston (36-15) : Brooklyn reception, Tuesday through Thursday night (01:30).

Los Angeles (23-27) : Travel to Brooklyn, Monday through Tuesday night (01:30).