Celtics hold on to beat Clippers

FILE – Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) gestures after scoring against the Miami Heat during the first half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 34 points and Kemba Walker delivered a late surge as the Boston Celtics rallied from a first-half deficit to hold on and edge the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115 on Friday.

Walker tallied 24 points and Carsen Edwards came off the bench to score 16 as the Celtics took over in the third quarter, setting the stage for a thrilling back and forth final quarter.

Numbers don't lie! Here is tonight's @Gatorade Player of the Game. pic.twitter.com/8Uo7AY91x5

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 6, 2021

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and Lou Williams added 18 for Los Angeles, who saw its six-game win streak at Staples Center arena halted.

Both teams were without key starters. Boston was missing Jaylen Brown who sat out with a sore knee and the Clippers, were minus Paul George because of a toe injury and Patrick Beverley (knee).

The Clippers led by as many as 16 points late in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 62-51 lead.