The Clippers came out strong, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combining for 18 first-quarter points to give Los Angeles a 30-26 lead. Boston responded in the second quarter with an 11-2 run, sparked by Jaylen Brown’s transition play and Al Horford’s three-point shooting. The Celtics entered halftime with a 54-49 advantage.
The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with Russell Westbrook pushing the tempo for the Clippers while Tatum took over offensively. Entering the fourth quarter, Boston held a narrow 82-79 lead.
In the final minutes, the Celtics’ defense locked in, forcing key turnovers and limiting the Clippers to contested shots. Tatum iced the game with a step-back three-pointer over Leonard, sealing the win for Boston.
Key Performances
- Boston Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Jaylen Brown: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals.
- Al Horford: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 three-pointers.
- Los Angeles Clippers:
- Kawhi Leonard: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals.
- Paul George: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Russell Westbrook: 12 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds.
Statistical Highlights
- Field Goal Percentage:
- Celtics: 48.2%
- Clippers: 46.5%
- Three-Point Shooting:
- Celtics: 39.1% (13/33)
- Clippers: 35.7% (10/28)
- Turnovers:
- Celtics: 9
- Clippers: 14
Takeaways
- The Celtics continue to establish themselves as the team to beat in the East, with Tatum and Brown proving to be one of the best duos in the league.
- The Clippers showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with execution in the final minutes, a concern as they look to make a deep playoff push.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
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