Three takeaways from the Boston Celtics 139-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden.
An old rivalry was renewed Monday night at TD Garden between the Boson Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers with a different flavor of course.
With LeBron James now teamed up with Anthony Davis, the Lakers are now the top dog in the Western conference which presented a big-time challenge for the Celtics, who were coming off a three-game losing streak and battling injuries.
Early on in the matchup, it looked like that losing streak was going to extend to four games as the Lakers jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead. But, a deep 3-pointer by Gordon Hayward changed the tide of the game as the Boston Celtics went on to outscore the Lakers by 40 points the rest of the way, eventually winning by 33 with a 139-107 victory.
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While Hayward’s shot was big to start off the scoring for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum was again the story. Going up against a tough defensive team, the young shining star continued to show he is capable of taking over a game going 10-for-18 from the floor with a team-high 27 points.
Along with solid performances by Tatum and Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker returned to the court and added 20 points apiece, showcasing just how the Boston Celtics team is when everyone is healthy and available.
With the big four showing up and doing their thing against the Los Angeles Lakers, the biggest X-factor of the game was the play of big man Enes Kanter. For one night he put all those needs for a big man to rest by outplaying Anthony Davis. Kanter ended the game with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, most of which coming in the first half to help the Celtics run out to a big lead.
In all, a big victory by a C’s squad that has gone through two 3-game losing streaks already in January. Now healthy, perhaps it’s time to get back to some consistent winning.
Here are three takeaways from the Boston Celtics beatdown of the Los Angeles Lakers Monday night at TD Garden.
Jaylen posterizes LeBron
After missing the last couple of games due to a thumb injury, Jaylen Brown returned to the Boston Celtics lineup in a big way Monday night.
With his ability to score from anywhere on the court in a 20-point performance, Brown’s loudest bucket came in the third quarter with this loud two-handed same over the reach of one LeBron James.
Check this out:
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1219441849749782528
The loud dunk by Jaylen Brown did draw a technical due to his stare down, but the highlight of the night happened and from that point forward, there was no turning back for the Boston Celtics who showed the Los Angeles Lakers their own version of showtime at the TD Garden.
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In all, Brown’s overall performance, it was good to have him back in the lineup for both his offensive and defensive presence.
As for that particular play, Jayson Tatum gushed over his teammate’s extreme athleticism.
"“That was a helluva play by Jaylen,” Tatum said after the game, via ESPN. “He’s so gifted, especially athletically. It surprised me. I didn’t think he was going to dunk it, especially that vertical. He’s a hell of an athlete, a helluva player.”"
There are not many Boston Celtics fans who would disagree. Jaylen Brown has really become an all-around player who is taking his game to an All-Star level.
Just ask LeBron James.
Jayson Tatum feeling it
Jayson Tatum loves playing against LeBron James.
In leading the Boston Celtics with 27 points in the game, Tatum once again displayed his All-Star ability by taking over the game offensively when the team needs it. Though his shooting has been the inconsistent in his game, he was 10-for-18 from the field (including 5-for-8 on 3s) and has been proving lately that he is hard to defend when his shot is falling.
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He is even more difficult to defend when the team is fully healthy and Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward are all out there on the court, which was the case on Monday night.
"“I feel like we’re tougher to guard when myself, [Brown], Kemba, [Marcus] Smart, when everybody’s out there,” Tatum said, via ESPN. “It makes it tougher for the other teams to guard, and it makes it easier for all of us with so many guys that can do so many different things out there.”"
That is what has become impressive about the rise of Jayson Tatum. While he has proven he can score 40-plus points on a given night, doing the little things out there when his shot is not dropping is what has truly elevated his game to an All-Star level.
Rebounding, defensive presence, assists and pure hustle is what the Boston Celtics are getting out of Tatum and it’s only going to get better, especially on the big stage.
A big presence
Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, Stephen Adams, those are just some of the names linked to the Boston Celtics as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches.
While the rumors are swirling about the Celtics being a big man away from making a serious run at the finals, Enes Kanter continues to remind everyone that he is on the team and can impact a game like he did Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward doing their thing from the outside, Kanter did his thing under the basket with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
If the Boston Celtics don’t make a trade for another big man prior to the trade deadline it will be because of the play of Enes Kanter. The rebounding and scoring has always been a part of his game, but if he can find a way not to be a liability on the defensive end, not obtaining another big won’t be that bad.
More double-double nights like Monday night makes the Celtics an even tougher team when everyone is on the court.