Lakers stagnant in Christmas Day loss
The Los Angeles Lakers inconsistency remains in their 126–115 Christmas Day loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday to move their season record to 16–15 and 2–6 since the In-Season Tournament.
With a 12–0 Celtics start and a 32–23 first-quarter finish, it looked like it was headed toward a one-sided Christmas affair until the Lakers erased an 18-point deficit after a 9–0 run at the end of the first.
A bounceback 34-26 score margin in the second quarter brought the Lakers momentum back with a one-point deficit at halftime behind a 20-point first half from Anthony Davis.
Davis finished with a season-high 40 points on 57.6% (15/26) shooting from the field, with 13 rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes.
“The turnovers and the transition really kinda hurt us tonight,” Davis said. “Against a team like that, the best team in the league, they make you pay for it.”
The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis, who combined for 53 points.
Porzingis finished with a team-high 28 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.
Tatum scored 14 of his 25 points in the second half, with eight rebounds and seven assists in 41 minutes.
The Lakers came out of the first half lethargic, with the Celtics getting to the free throw line 14 times in the third quarter. The Lakers went on to get outscored 68–58 in the second half.
LeBron compared the Lakers’ health to some of the top teams in the NBA, including the Celtics team tonight.
“I don't think we’re healthy right now. I don't think we’re where we want to be to compete versus the top teams until we continue to get better,” LeBron said. “We’re still trying to figure out our situation as far as how we want to continue to attack each game.”
Before the end of the first half, LeBron James slipped, running hip for hip with Boston’s Jaylen Brown on defense, causing him to knee Brown in the back unintentionally. Both players lay on the floor after the collision, with LeBron going to the bench and Brown going into the locker room.
Both players were able to shake it off and return to the game.
“Definitely a little soar right now,” LeBron said about his knee.
LeBron struggled from the field, shooting 35.7% on 5-for-14 with 16 points. LeBron made his most impact as a playmaker, grabbing nine rebounds and having eight assists in 36 minutes of action.
The Lakers kept their same lineup of LeBron as the main facilitator for the second straight game.
Taurean Prince was the Lakers second-leading scorer with 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting from three.
D’Angelo Russell accepted the same role as the backup point guard, scoring eight points and dishing out six assists in 17 minutes.
The Lakers will get a much-needed two-day rest and face the Charlotte Hornets at home at 7:30 p.m.
