The Boston Celtics took an early lead against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 12-0 start, prompting a timeout from LA with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter. The Celtics' strategy of packing the paint proved effective as the Lakers struggled with a lineup that lacked ballhandlers and shot-creators. By late in the first period, Boston had extended their lead to 32-14, capitalizing on their shooting efficiency (12 for 17 FG) and the Lakers' struggles on the field (5 for 19 FG). However, the Lakers managed to cut down the Celtics' lead, trailing by only six points at 47-41 partway through the second quarter and finishing the first quarter down 32-23. Anthony Davis contributed significantly to the Lakers' comeback, scoring 20 points on 9-14 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds in the first half. Despite Boston's strong start, the Lakers were able to keep the game competitive, with the Celtics holding a slim 58-57 lead at halftime.
The second half is underway. LeBron James gives the Lakers their first lead of the game, 59-58. #Lakeshow @sportingtrib
AD still leads all scorers with 20 points, 7 rebs, and 1 block. Taurean Prince added 11 points. He shot 3/5 from 3-point. #Lakeshow @SportingTrib https://t.co/ZYktHTZ6xr
AD still leads all scorers with 20 points, 7 rebs, and 1 block. #Lakeshow @SportingTrib https://t.co/ZYktHTZ6xr
The Celtics are up 58-57 at halftime vs. the Lakers 🍀 Four Boston players are in double-digit scoring already 🔥 https://t.co/UBmao7rZ1j
Celtics barely hanging on to a 58-57 lead at HT as AD misses the open shot. LeBron started dominating the glass & flying in transition to get the Lakers going and they have the Celtics on their back foot now. AD has been elite in the post as well & they've worked around KP well.
Lakers-Celtics went from Memorial Day Massacre vibes to NBA Finals fun. Celtics with a 58-57 half-time lead over the Lakers.
Anthony Davis was terrific in the 1st half vs. Boston, scoring 20 points on 9 of 14 FG's, including a bucket with 19 seconds left to get LAL within a point at 58-57. Boston had led by 18 in the 1st Q after a torrid start.
Anthony Davis has been amazing today: 20 points (9-14 FGs), seven rebounds (three offensive), two assists and a block in 19 minutes. He's almost single-handedly kept LA in this game.
The Lakers trailed by as many as 18 early on! We have a good one brewing in L.A. 👀 (🎥: @NBA) https://t.co/bLmEpI6fpT
Anthony Davis drills a 3 to make this a three-point game, 47-44, with 5:09 left in the first half. LA has outscored Boston 21-15 in the second quarter. The Lakers are finding the most success with LeBron, AD, two of Austin/Rui/DLo and one of Taurean/Cam/Vando.
Anthony Davis drilled a 3 to get LAL within 3 at 47-44, after they'd trailed by as many as 18 in the 1st Q. Davis is 8 for 12 towards 18 points with 5 rebounds, scoring on Boston inside and out. Davis, after taking only 4 threes in November, has hit 7 in the last 7 games.
The Lakers trailed by as much as 18 in the first quarter. They have cut into that lead considerably here in the second quarter, #Celtics 47 - #Lakers 41. #Lakeshow
The Lakers trailed by as much as 18 in the first quarter. They have cut into that lead and considerably, #Celtics 47 - #Lakers 41
The Lakers trailed by as many as 18, but were able to cut it to single digits heading into the 2nd Q, down 32-23. AD leads LAL with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 5 rebounds. The Celtics starters are shooting 13-for-22 (59%)
Celtics hold a 32-23 first-quarter lead over the Lakers. Lakers got themselves back into as Boston went scoreless and missed seven consecutive shots for final 3:11
First quarter: Celtics 32, Lakers 23 After trailing by as many as 18 points, LA closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to trim the deficit to single digits. AD has 13 points and 5 rebounds. LA has stayed afloat with 6 offensive rebounds. BOS is getting to the rim way too easily.
The Lakers held Boston scoreless in the final 3 minutes of the 1st Q, and trimmed an 18-point deficit to 9 at 32-23 heading into the 2nd Q. Prince rimmed out on a 3 just ahead of the buzzer after a behind-the-back LeBron pass that would have set the crowd off.
Boston is red hot early, a collective 12 for 17, with LAL struggling from the field (5 for 19), creating a 32-14 Celtics lead late in the 1st period.
Celtics 12 Lakers 0 9:21 1st Celtics 12 PT 5-7 FG (.714) 0-0 FT (.000) 2-4 3P (.500) 5/1 RB 3 AS 0 BL 2 ST 1 TO 1 PF (9:21 1st, Lakers) Lakers 0 PT 0-5 FG (.000) 0-0 FT (.000) 0-1 3P (.000) 2/1 RB 0 AS 0 BL 0 ST 2 TO 0 PF (9:21 1st, Celtics)
A 12-0 start for the Celtics. Timeout LA with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter. This is the problem with starting three players who aren't ballhandlers/shot-creators (and two that aren't shooters). Boston is packing the paint and the Lakers don't have an answer.
The Celtics start the game up 12-0. Lakers timeout. LAL is 0-for-5 with 2 turnovers: BOS is 5-for-7 with 1 turnover.
Celtics storming out to a 12-0 start while Lakers miss their first five shots and get outrebounded, 5-2.