NBA: Jayson Tatum, Celtics hold off Lakers
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) smiles after sinking a three-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Jayson Tatum had 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to help the Boston Celtics extend their winning streak to four games by beating the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 111-101 on Saturday night.
It was Tatum’s fourth game with at least 40 points this season. He was 12 of 28 from the field and played 45 minutes.
Jaylen Brown added 31 points and six rebounds for the Celtics, who also received 14 points and nine rebounds from Al Horford.
READ: NBA: Jayson Tatum puts up 35 as Celtics ease past 76ers
Hard-fought battle. 🤝@celtics come away with their 10th W over the last 12 games ☘️ pic.twitter.com/2KTdDn6StU
— NBA (@NBA) March 9, 2025
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 34 points and eight rebounds. He made 5 of 10 3-point attempts.
LeBron James had 22 points and 14 rebounds, he but missed each of his six shots from behind the 3-point line. James left the game with a groin strain in the fourth quarter and did not return. Austin Reaves (16 points) was the only other Laker who scored in double figures.
The loss ended the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak. Los Angeles is 18-4 in its last 22 games.
Los Angeles trailed by 22 points in the second half but was within four points after two Doncic free throws made it 96-92 with 5:06 to play. The Lakers failed to get any closer, however, and Boston was able to pull away after that.
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Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis (illness) missed his fifth straight game. Porzingis led the Celtics with 22 points in a 117-96 loss to the host Lakers on Jan. 23.
It was 33-33 after one quarter on Saturday, but the Celtics had a 58-54 halftime lead. Tatum led all scorers in the first half with 22 points.
The Celtics scored 19 of the first 21 points in the third quarter and led 77-56 after a Jrue Holiday basket capped a 15-0 run with 5:50 left in the third. The Lakers’ first field goal in the third came with 5:28 remaining in the quarter. Boston had an 87-67 advantage entering the fourth.
