There is no more exciting rivalry in NBA history than a Boston Celtics facing the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, in the present season a particularity occurred: It is the first time they collide after the consecration of the Angelina franchise, Which meant Los Angeles had come to Boston at the championship table.
The present of both teams found them in a moment of some doubt. The Celtics were looking for a needed win after losing three of their last games, while the Lakers came to TD Garden after failing to power against the Sixers and Pistons. The envelope both franchises do not dominate their conferences, being third in each of them.
LeBron James and company, as usual, started the first quarter with clear intentions of taking their turn-based rival ahead and so did with the 28-24 partial. The Lakers weren’t satisfied in the first half, so they were able to pull off one maximum of 10 points (41-31), although Boston managed to take the margin and go to the long half to three units (52-49).
The Celtics understood Brad Stevens ’message at halftime and, while not a team that is characterized by having good third quarters, that was the exception. The locals put themselves in front with a good Jayson Tatum (he finished with 30) and they were even able to pull off a good gap right at the culmination of the first 36 minutes with the 78-71.
In the last quarter came the worst: an injury. Marcus Smart had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury, Being an important loss for Boston as it is the best defender. The Los Angeles Lakers regained the lead with a Lebron James triple five minutes from the end in an 8-0 run and, although they suffered until the last ball of the night, they took the 96-95 victory over the Boston Celtics.