Boston beat the LA Lakers 126:115 as a guest in the Super Derby of the NBA Christmas program. The two most titled teams in the League faced each other. The Californians have 18 titles, just one more than the Celtics. The matchup was #299 between the two teams in the regular season.
Kristaps Porzingis had a double-double for Boston - 28 points and 11 rebounds. Jayson Tatum added 25, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Torian Prince scored 17. LeBron James had 16 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Celtics jumped out to an 18-point lead in the first half, led by Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. However, the Lakers did not give up, and with the help of Anthony Davis, Torian Prince and LeBron James, they reached a 52:52 tie. Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum still maintained Boston's lead for 58:57 at the big break.
After the break, the ruckus continued before the visitors went ahead again with 9 points for 81:72 through Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis. The LA team responded with successful actions by Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves for 79:83, but Al Horford, Derrick White and Jason Tatum were accurate for 99:90 in favor of Boston. In the last quarter, the "Celts" did not lose the initiative and won, shaping the final 126:115 in their favor.
Meanwhile, Denver recorded its fifth straight victory. Mike Malone's team beat Golden State 120:114 in the clash between the last two champions.
Jamal Murray scored 28 points for Denver plus 5 rebounds. Nikola Jokic added 26, 14 rebounds and 8 assists, being flawless from the foul line - 18/18. Michael Porter Jr. also had a double-double - 19 points and 10 rebounds in addition to 4 blocks. Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each had 16, with the former also grabbing 10 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins was the top scorer for Golden State with 22 points. Steph Curry scored 18. Jonathan Cumminga, Chris Paul and Brandon Podrzemski each had 13 points.
New York - Milwaukee 129:122
Denver - Golden State 120:114
Los Angeles Lakers - Boston 115:126
Miami - Philadelphia 119:113
Phoenix - Dallas 114:128. /BGNES
