The Lakers lost another heartbreaker in frustrating fashion, falling to the Celtics 125-121 in overtime on Saturday night. The game was the team’s third consecutive OT loss, and drops them to 23-27 for the season.
The Lakers had many chances to close out the Celtics, including a potentially game winning shot at the end of regulation in which LeBron James got to the basket with a chance to score at the buzzer on a layup. Upon missing the shot, LeBron pleaded in frustration for a foul call that did not come, but, upon replay, looked to have been legitimately missed by the referees.
“As much as you try not to put it on officiating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult”, Coach Ham said after the game. “The best player on earth can’t get a call. It’s amazing.”
As chaotic as the final possession of the game felt at the end, it paled in comparison to the sequence of events that led up to that point — with Patrick Beverley in the middle of it all.
In the span of 52 seconds, Beverley would hit a go-ahead three-pointer to give the Lakers a two point lead, get a tip-dunk (his first dunk of any kind in 3 seasons) to again put the Lakers up by two, secure a crucial rebound and then draw a foul with a chance to go up by four with 14.8 seconds left, miss one of the free throws, and then foul a driving Jaylen Brown on a made layup where the ensuing free throw tied the game to setup the aforementioned final possession by LeBron.
Putting the final play aside, then, the Lakers had their chances. And, for nearly the entirety of regulation, they gave themselves a great chance to win.
LeBron was again brilliant, scoring 41 points on 15-30 shooting (6-12 from behind the arc) to go along with nine rebounds and eight assists. It seemed like whenever the Lakers needed a big shot, LeBron delivered with either a made three or a clutch drive and finish against a Celtics defense that was geared up to stop him.
He was supported by five other Lakers who scored in double figures, led by AD’s 16 points on 6-15 shooting and Beverley’s 15 points on 5-10 shooting. Lonnie Walker, who made his return to the lineup after missing the last 14 games with knee tendonitis, chipped in with 13 points on 6-8 shooting, to go along with 13 points from Dennis Schröder and 12 points from Russell Westbrook — who also added seven assists (as well as five turnovers).
It was not enough, though. In overtime, the Celtics jumped out to a quick six-point lead and were able to stave off any Lakers run by executing in their halfcourt offense to get needed baskets. They were led by Brown’s 37 points and an additional 30 points from Jayson Tatum, with Malcom Brogdon adding 26 points of his own off the bench.
The Lakers will try to shake this one off when they’re back in action on Monday vs. the Nets in Brooklyn.
