Layout by: Paul Quijano
Published by: Kristine Joyce Soriano
Date Published: March 26, 2025
Time Published: 10:06 AM
Boston Celtics’ on their 4th winning streak as Jayson Tatum scored 40 points in a match disrupting the Los Angeles Lakers’ eight-game undefeated run with a victory 111-101, improving their record to 46-18, in their jaw-dropping National Basketball Association (NBA) showdown at the TD Garden in Boston Massachusetts on March 8.
Tatum paved the way for the Celtics with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 12-28 from the field.
The newest segment in basketball's most distinguishable showdown was anticipated as a probable NBA Finals match-up, showcasing the defending champion Celtics against the revamped Lakers team led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Brown and Tatum both made an aggressive approach during the start of the third quarter as they guarded Doncic on back-to-back plays as the Celtics kept on attacking.
The Lakers’ defense and Tatum's deep three at the end of the quarter pushed the Celtics' lead to 20 points, giving them an 87-67 advantage over the Lakers as they entered the fourth quarter.
According to Tatum, the return of Jrue Holiday had been crucial for the Celtics, as he said, "We missed Jrue, it was his first game back in a while, and we're a totally different team when Jrue's out there.”
He added, "There are so many things he does at both ends that may not always show up on the stat sheet, but we’re much better when he's out there."
The unfortunate defeat for the Lakers was worsened as an injury happened to the prominent athlete Lebron James, who left the game amids the fourth quarter and did not return back with what is referred to as a groin problem.
Tatum’s fourth 40 point game of the season was accompanied by 31 points from Jaylen Brown while veteran athlete Al Horford tallied 14 points and lastly, 10 points delivered by Derrick White.
As the game started, the Lakers scored 7-0 not until the Celtics scored their first shot on a Jaylen Brown fadeway, all of the starting players of the Lakers scored points while the Celtics some time to find their rhythm after scoring a 7-2 start.
Both of the teams’ defenses were tightening as both James and Tatum scored astonishing plays midways during the course of the second quarter however, both teams weren’t able to gain significant momentum as the lead shifted back and forth.
During the last quarter, the Celtics' offense went cold during a vital moment and turnovers allowed the Lakers to gain momentum and get back to their game.
In a sudden turn of events, James was excluded from the game caused by a groin strain with three minutes to go as his team was attempting to make a comeback, this is where the Celtics started to take over as Tatum and Brown seal another win for the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics concluded the first half shooting 48% from the field and 41% from three while forcing 4 steals on the Lakers as their defense tightened up.
REFERENCES:
[1]Agence France-Presse. (2025, March 9). NBA: Tatum dominates as Celtics hold off Lakers; injury scare for LeBron | ABS-CBN Sports. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/3/9/NBA-TATUM-DOMINATES-AS-CELTICS-HOLD-OFF-LAKERS-INJURY-SCARE-FOR-LEBRON-1439
[2] Inangelo, I. (2025). Jays combine for 71 points, celtics beat LA 111-101. Celticsblog.com. https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/3/8/24381079/jays-combine-for-71-points-boston-celtics-beat-la-lakers-111-101-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown