Celtics beat Lakers in 3-1 road trip

Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers 126-115, despite Anthony Davis' 40 points. Jayson Tatum scores 25 points for Celtics.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) showed his excitement after a powerful dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics on December 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Celtics emerged victorious with a 126-115 win over the Lakers, led by Kristaps Porzingis' impressive performance of 28 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite an outstanding 40-point game from Lakers center Anthony Davis, the Celtics were able to secure the win. Davis, shooting 15 of 26 from the field, also contributed 13 rebounds. The Lakers trailed by nine points after three quarters and were unable to take the lead, with Boston maintaining a strong advantage throughout the fourth quarter.

In addition to Porzingis' stellar performance, Jayson Tatum finished the game with 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Derrick White contributed 18 points and 11 assists, Jaylen Brown added 19 points, and Jrue Holiday recorded 18 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds for the Celtics.

The game saw a back-and-forth battle, with the Celtics initially extending their lead to 32-14 in the first quarter, only to be met with a 9-0 run from the Lakers. However, Boston maintained their composure and led 58-57 at halftime. The second half saw the Lakers briefly take the lead, but the Celtics outscored them 41-33 in the third quarter, securing a 99-90 advantage entering the final period.

Despite their recent success with 3-pointers, the Celtics had a lower shooting percentage from beyond the arc in this game, making 13 of 42 attempts (31 percent). Overall, it was a hard-fought and exciting game, ultimately resulting in a well-deserved victory for the Boston Celtics.