Inside The Celtics

Celtics' Offensive Approach Outweighs Three-Point Struggles in Christmas Victory vs. Lakers

Six Celtics' players scored in double-figures as they overcame shooting 31 percent from beyond the arc in their win over the purple and gold.

Bobby Krivitsky

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics finished their four-game stay in California with a 3-1 record, capping it with an impressive 126-115 win in a Christmas clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The visitors got off to a fast start, building a 12-0 lead that grew into an 18-point advantage, only to see the hosts hit back in the second quarter.

But even with threes not falling, finishing the day 13/42 (31 percent) from beyond the arc, the C's outscored the purple and gold 68-58 in the second half.

They locked back in defensively and maintained an offensive approach where they were well spaced, targeted the correct mismatches, often going at Austin Reaves, only committed eight total turnovers, and gave themselves most of the shot clock to work with.

That allowed their drive-and-kick approach and feeding Kristaps Porzingis, repeatedly drawing smaller defenders on switches, then punishing them in the low post, to translate to 58 points in the paint and six players scoring in double figures.

The seven-foot-three led Boston with 28 points. Jayson Tatum had 25 and did an excellent job facilitating, dishing out seven assists. Jaylen Brown registered 19 points. 

Jrue Holiday nearly produced 20 for the third-straight game after he hadn't done so once before this West Coast trip, finishing with 18, pairing it with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Derrick White strengthened his All-Star case, putting 18 points on the board, leading all participants in assists, dishing out 11, swiping two steals, and coming up with two blocks.

Now for a deep dive into what stood out as the matchup unfolded and the Celtics prevailed over their rivals.

1. The Celtics got off to an ideal start, quickly building a 12-0 lead. With Kristaps Porzingis playing free safety and roaming off his assignment, Jarred Vanderbilt, they protected the rim, helping fuel their transition attack.

Jaylen Brown fueled their fast start offensively, generating seven of the visitors' first 12 points, showing off his fadeaway jump shot, and drilling a transition three that should've also earned him a trip to the free-throw line.

2. With Boston limiting the Lakers to 30 percent shooting from the field, including 1/5 (20 percent) from beyond the arc, it generated a 9-0 advantage in fast-break scoring and produced 16 of its first 32 points in the paint. It opened the contest 11/15 from the floor, growing its lead to 28-12.

3. While the Celtics only committed one turnover in the quarter, they fared 3/12 (25 percent) from three-point range. Their misses allowed Los Angeles to attack in transition, helping the hosts cut what was once an 18-point deficit in half, trailing 32-23 entering the second frame.

Brown led the visitors with nine points in the first 12 minutes. Jayson Tatum, who didn't take a shot until after the 7:30 mark, put seven on the board.

Porzingis, who was excellent to start, scored six, including a put-back dunk, grabbed five rebounds, and had a block.

4. A small but noteworthy substitution came when Neemias Queta checked in late in the first quarter, getting the nod over Luke Kornet, who returned on Monday after a six-game absence due to a left adductor strain.

The 24-year-old center from Portugal earned this opportunity with how well he's played on this West Coast trip, especially with his impact as a screener and on the glass. As is often the case, Queta worked alongside Al Horford.

5. The C's maintained a balanced attack to start the second quarter, going 3/6 from beyond the arc, Payton Pritchard producing two layups, and another bucket coming from just outside of the paint. Pritchard put ten of his team's first 13 points on the board.

6. In a hold-your-breath moment more than midway through the second period, LeBron James inadvertently kneed Jaylen Brown in the lower back. Both stayed down, writhing in pain. James eventually made his way to the Lakers' bench while Brown headed to the locker room.

Boston later ruled the two-time All-Star questionable to return due to a lower back contusion.

7. While the Celtics consistently created quality looks in the second quarter, they continued to struggle from beyond the arc, going 4/12 (33.3 percent) from three-point range, entering the half a frigid 7/24 (29.2 percent).

Those misses propelled Los Angeles offensively as the purple and gold produced a 14-8 advantage in the paint in the second frame, leading 30-24 in that category at intermission.

With Anthony Davis pacing all participants with 20 points on 9/14 shooting at the break, the hosts outscored their visitors 34-26 in the 12 minutes before halftime, pulling within one, 58-57.

Boston had four players, Tatum, Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Pritchard, the first three manufacturing 11, the latter scoring ten, but must find its rhythm from beyond the arc.

8. Fortunately for the Celtics, Jaylen Brown returned to start the second half.

The visitors also got back to defending at the level they were in the first frame. A play where Jrue Holiday blitzed Davis, nearly forcing a turnover, but left James, who cut to the basket only to get denied by Porzingis, exemplified that.

9. Speaking of Porzingis, the seven-foot-three center continued punishing smaller defenders on switches, repeatedly scoring from the low post and getting to the free-throw line.

He generated 13 points in the period, the most on either side, doing the majority of his damage from those two areas. The Latvian native had a team-high 24 points entering the fourth quarter.

That and Jayson Tatum's facilitating, including while anchoring a lineup featuring more members of the second unit than starters, helped Boston take a 99-90 edge into the final frame.

10. The Celtics did something they and their fan base love to see, something they're improving at this season, overcoming struggling from beyond the arc in the final 12 minutes.

They were well-spaced offensively and hunted the correct mismatches, repeatedly targeting Austin Reaves with great success. Their drive-and-kick approach consistently yielded positive results, and even when they didn't push the pace, they started their attack early in the shot clock.

Even without subtracting the closing minutes, where only a miraculous turnaround could've saved the Lakers, Boston outscored Los Angeles 27-25 in a period it entered with a nine-point lead.

Despite faring 1/7 (14.3 percent) from three-point range, the visitors shot 57.1 percent from the field, manufacturing a 20-8 advantage in the paint, as it applied the finishing touches to their 126-115 win in their Christmas clash with their rivals.

11. Now, the Celtics return home and will host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night; that game will tip off at 7:30 EST.

Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Here's What Stood Out as the Celtics Steamrolled the Clippers

Jayson Tatum Joins PR Team for Derrick White’s All-Star Campaign

Kristaps Porzingis Praises Celtics' Offensive Approach in Win vs. Kings: 'Keep Evolving'

After Stinging Loss to Warriors, Boston, Back to 'Celtics' Basketball,' Blowout Kings

Shades of 2022 Finals as Celtics Can't Close vs. Warriors

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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