LeBron James scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Tuesday night in a game that lived up to the storied rivalry’s billing.
The 39-year-old James went 12-of-22 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds while orchestrating the Lakers’ comeback from a 12-point third-quarter deficit. Anthony Davis added 28 points and 12 rebounds, posting his 15th double-double of the season.
Fourth Quarter Fireworks
Boston led 89-77 entering the final period before the Lakers unleashed a 25-8 run over the first seven minutes. James buried consecutive three-pointers during the surge, while Davis dominated the paint with three consecutive dunks that silenced the TD Garden crowd.
“We just stayed composed,” James said after the game. “This is a hostile environment, but we’ve been in these situations before. AD was phenomenal down low, and we trusted each other when it mattered most.”
The victory improved the Lakers to 18-13 on the season, moving them into seventh place in the Western Conference standings. More importantly, it snapped a three-game road losing streak that had plagued the team since mid-December.
Tatum’s Valiant Effort Falls Short
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. The All-Star forward scored 23 points through three quarters but managed just 12 in the fourth as the Lakers’ defense tightened around him.
Jaylen Brown contributed 24 points and seven assists for the Celtics, who dropped to 24-9 and saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Despite the loss, Boston maintains the best record in the Eastern Conference.
“Credit to them,” Tatum said. “They made shots when they needed to, and we couldn’t get stops. LeBron showed why he’s still one of the best players in the league.”
Role Players Step Up
D’Angelo Russell provided crucial support for the Lakers with 19 points off the bench, including four three-pointers. His shooting kept Los Angeles within striking distance during Boston’s third-quarter surge.
For the Celtics, Derrick White chipped in 16 points and six assists, while Kristaps Porzingis added 14 points in 28 minutes. However, Boston’s bench was outscored 31-19, a differential that proved costly in the tight contest.
Defensive Battle in the Paint
The game featured intense battles near the basket, with both teams combining for 104 points in the paint. Davis used his size advantage effectively, shooting 11-of-18 from the field while altering several Boston attempts on the defensive end.
Los Angeles forced 16 turnovers and converted them into 22 points, with James recording five steals to go along with his seven assists. The Lakers’ defensive pressure ramped up significantly in the fourth quarter, holding Boston to 39% shooting over the final 12 minutes.
Historical Context
The victory marked the Lakers’ first win at TD Garden since February 2020, ending a four-game losing streak in Boston. James improved to 17-13 all-time against the Celtics during the regular season, adding another chapter to his lengthy history with the franchise.
Austin Reaves contributed 12 points and four assists for Los Angeles, continuing his solid play as the team’s starting point guard. His steady presence helped the Lakers maintain their composure during Boston’s third-quarter run.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Celtics host the Miami Heat on Friday. Both teams will look to build momentum as they approach the midpoint of the regular season.
“This was a good win against a really good team,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “But we can’t get comfortable. We have to bring this same energy every night if we want to make noise in the playoffs.”
