Camille Naredo

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP 

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 8: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE  Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741502326031AFP__20250309__2203498391__v1__Preview__LosAngelesLakersVBostonCeltics.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. <em>Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES -- Jayson Tatum scored 40 points as the Boston Celtics halted the Los Angeles Lakers&#x27; eight-game unbeaten streak with a statement 111-101 victory in their heavyweight NBA showdown at TD Garden on Saturday.</p><p>The latest instalment of the most iconic rivalry in basketball was billed as a potential NBA finals preview, pitting the defending champion Celtics against a resurgent Lakers line-up led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic.</p><p>But after a closely-fought first half where both sides went toe-to-toe before Boston edged into a four-point lead at the break, the game pivoted when the Celtics locked down the Lakers offense in a lopsided third quarter.</p><p>A disappointing loss for the Lakers was compounded by an injury to James, who left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return with what was described as a groin problem.</p><p>Tatum, who finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, said the return of Jrue Holiday had been pivotal for the Celtics.</p><p>&quot;We missed Jrue,&quot; Tatum told ESPN. &quot;It was his first game back in a while, and we&#x27;re a totally different team when Jrue&#x27;s out there.</p><p>&quot;There&#x27;s so many things he does at both ends that may not always show up on the stat sheet. But much better when he&#x27;s out there.&quot;</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHbfLzg8AiM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Tatum&#x27;s fourth 40-point game of the season was backed by 31 points from Jaylen Brown, while veteran Al Horford finished with 14 points and Derrick White 10.</p><p>The Lakers&#x27; challenge meanwhile was led by Doncic, the Slovenian star who finished with 34 points including five three-pointers. James added 22 points before his departure in the fourth quarter.</p><p>After leading by four at half-time, the Celtics rapidly surged into a double-digit advantage, staunching the flow of Lakers&#x27; points with suffocating defense that forced a string of turnovers from the visitors.</p><div><strong>- Warriors hold off Pistons -</strong></div><p>At the other end, Tatum kept the Celtics score ticking over with 10 points in the third quarter as Boston pulled clear, outscoring the Lakers 29-13 to lead 87-67 heading into the final quarter.</p><p>Doncic found his range and threatened to spark a remarkable comeback as the Lakers got to within four points at 99-95, but Boston responded with back-to-back three-pointers that restored the Celtics 10-point cushion to effectively ice the game.</p><p>Boston improved to 46-18 to remain second in the Eastern Conference, 7.5 games behind leaders Cleveland.</p><p>The Lakers meanwhile dropped down to third place in the Western Conference with a 41-22 record.</p><p>Elsewhere on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a pulsating 115-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons in a game that was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm at the Chase Center.</p><p>Stephen Curry scored 31 points while new recruit Jimmy Butler added 26 with nine rebounds and five assists.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PrTgzFh5C9Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>But it was the veteran Draymond Green who helped shepherd the Warriors to victory, draining a crucial 26-foot three-pointer with 35 seconds remaining that put Golden State into a 110-108 lead.</p><p>Curry then slammed the door with four straight free throws in the closing seconds as the Warriors improved to 36-28 in the Western Conference table. Detroit meanwhile dropped to 35-29 in the Eastern Conference standings.</p><p>In other games, Paolo Banchero scored 29 points as the Orlando Magic took down the in-form Milwaukee Bucks 111-109 on the road, Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 37 points in vain for the hosts.</p><p>In Atlanta, Trae Young&#x27;s 36 points helped the Hawks edge the Indiana Pacers 120-118.</p><p>In Houston, Dillon Brooks scored 27 points with Alperen Sengun adding 20 as the Rockets pulverised the New Orleans Pelicans 146-117.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>The Celtics end the Lakers' eight-game winning streak at the Garden. #NBA</p>

NBA: Tatum dominates as Celtics hold off Lakers; injury scare for LeBron

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NBA: Tatum dominates as Celtics hold off Lakers; injury scare for LeBron

Agence France-Presse

Published March 09, 2025 02:39 PM PHT

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