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Kemba Walker missed a game-winning trademark step-back with 2.5 seconds to play at TD Garden, which proved why this historic rivalry is the finest in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis both failed to find a bucket on their last possession of the game, giving Boston a chance to nick it on the fast-break.
Walker stripped Anthony Davis of the ball, as the Celtics charged down the floor in numbers seeking a winner. Semi Ojeleye found the four-time All-Star, whose famous step-back move earned him the nickname ‘Cardiac Kemba’ in college with UConn.
Unfortunately for Celtics fans this effort missed the target and Daniel Theis couldn’t manage to tip the ball home before the buzzer sounded.
This Lakers-Celtics ending was WILD ? pic.twitter.com/VGm1QhABO9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2021
Boston coach Brad Stevens praised his guard post-game, saying:
“He has a wonderful way about him, and he’s the greatest teammate. He’s a really good player who really cares about this team and really wants to be part of something special. We believe strongly in him.”
The ace duo of Celtics youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown prevailed once again, combining for a remarkable 58 points (30 and 28 respectively) on a united 68% from the field.
Tatum produced one of the best dimes the league will see in a very long time, finding big man Robert Williams with a behind-the-back pass and saving the ball from going out.
THIS PASS FROM TATUM ? pic.twitter.com/h3IbTBXfak
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2021
The forward, a graduate from Duke University, added nine rebounds and three assists to his ever-impressive stat sheet. His development since the departure of former guard Kyrie Irving has been monumental, from averaging 14 points per game in 2017/18 to 27 so far in 2020/21.
His partner-in-crime Jaylen Brown has had a similar leap, averaging 15 points per game in 2017/18 and now 27 in 2020/21 thus far.
The Lakers passed on drafting both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Drafts respectively, opting instead for now-Pelicans duo Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.
Brown recorded his 10th consecutive game with 20+ points, and currently sits ninth in the NBA’s leading scorers. The 24-year-old moved up to third on the Celtics’ all-time most points scored list through the first 18 games with 488 – behind legend Larry Bird (490 in 1984/85) and John Havlicek (511 in 1970/71).
Two-time All-Defensive First Team guard Marcus Smart suffered a worrisome injury which looked to be an achilles tear at first. The Celtics’ original diagnosis suggests he suffered a left calf strain, but will undergo an MRI tomorrow for further clarification.
Boston head West for a road-trip, with Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors first up. The Lakers stay in the East, facing Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks next.
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