LeBron James reacts after a missed foul call at the end of regulation in the Lakers’ 125-121 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. James finished with a game-high 41 points.
On Saturday, Jaylen Brown scored 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Boston Celtics avoid a season-high four-game losing streak by defeating the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 125-121 in overtime.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Lakers led 105-102, but Brown scored inside and was fouled with 4.1 seconds remaining. Brown made the free throw to tie the game at 105-105, and the game went to overtime after LeBron James missed a layup just before the buzzer, despite the fact that James was fouled on the play by Jayson Tatum.
Brown scored 11 points in overtime, including a jump shot with 50.1 seconds remaining that gave the Celtics a 119-114 lead. He also made two free throws, putting the Celtics up 121-116 with 33 seconds remaining.
With two seconds remaining, Anthony Davis hit a 3-pointer to cut Boston’s lead to 123-121, but Jayson Tatum sealed the victory with two free throws.
For the Lakers, James had 41 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Davis had 16 points and ten rebounds. Los Angeles fell for the second time in three games, as Patrick Beverley added 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
For Boston, Tatum had 30 points and 11 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon scored 26 points off the bench for the Celtics, who made 34 of 39 free throws. The Lakers made 15 of 20 free throw attempts.
The Lakers led 67-56 with 8:04 left in the third quarter after a James dunk capped an 11-0 run.
When Brogdon nailed a 3-pointer with 2:15 left in the third, Boston went on a 9-0 run and took its first lead of the second half. The score was 81-81 going into the fourth quarter.
Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics missed his fourth consecutive game due to a sprained right ankle. The Celtics were also without centre Robert Williams, who was added to the injury report late due to a sprained left ankle.
The Lakers trailed 28-27 after one quarter but led 54-48 at the break. Los Angeles went on an 11-0 run after Boston scored the first eight points of the second quarter to take a 38-36 lead with 5:39 remaining in the half.
It was the teams’ second meeting this season. On December 13, the Celtics won 122-118 in overtime in Los Angeles.
Beverley, in particular, had a significant impact on Saturday’s game, harassing Celtics star Jayson Tatum before hitting a game-winning three and dunk in the final minute of regulation.
Still, there are cracks.
When James attacked the rim at the end of regulation, the Lakers didn’t get a crucial whistle, and the fallout continued into overtime. James hopped up and down on the court after the play, stunned that he didn’t get the call.
“As much as you try not to put it on officiating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “… Apparently, I used my challenge too soon.”