With Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart all sidelined, this watered-down version of Celtics-Lakers didn’t carry quite the same weight as many others over the years.
But, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jordan Walsh and Payton Pritchard ensured Celtics fans still got their money’s worth. Brown led the way with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. White added 19 points, Walsh 18 and Pritchard 15 to highlight a convincing all-around effort.
The Celtics, who have now won nine of 11, kept it rolling with a resounding, 126-105, triumph Friday night at TD Garden.
After throttling the lowly Wizards by 45 in Washington the night prior, Boston maintained its status as one of the best teams in basketball in recent weeks. The Lakers still had Austin Reaves (36 points) and Deandre Ayton, and they’re currently the No. 2 seed in the West, so this was no cakewalk on paper.
The Celtics (14-9) jumped out to an early 19-7 lead, as White splashed three 3-pointers and Brown found Jordan Walsh inside for an and-one. Anfernee Simons and Josh Minott kept it rolling, helping Boston take a commanding 39-17 edge through 1.
Boston shot 64 percent and racked up 13 assists on 14 field goals. The Lakers (16-6) shot just 23 percent and had three assists. Brown, who finished the quarter with four assists, breezed past defenders and made the extra pass for layups and 3’s.
With James (sciatica/arthritis), Doncic (birth of child) and Smart (back) all sidelined, the Lakers looked lost on both ends. The Celtics took advantage, spraying the ball around and consistently turning down good shots for great ones.
Rui Hachimura and the Lakers made a bit of noise late in the half, but Walsh and Sam Hauser finished strong as Boston preserved a 69-46 edge heading to the break. The Celtics didn’t take their shorthanded opponent lightly and played with hunger, poise and energy.
Brown caught fire early in the third, matching White’s mark in the first half with three straight triples. Lakers coach JJ Redick mixed and matched, searching for answers, yet the Lakers remained overmatched no matter which buttons he pressed.
The Lakers made a mini run to cut it to 17 midway through the quarter before the Celtics answered with a deep Pritchard 3 and Brown layup to reclaim momentum. After a 36-28 Los Angeles third quarter, Boston led, 97-82, through three. Brown paced the Celtics with 15 in the third, scoring more than half their points.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla went small to start the fourth, with Josh Minott and Walsh out there together, and the Celtics extended the margin to 103-82 with 9:55 remaining. White got an extremely fortuitous role on another 3, as the ball soared high in the air, hit the rim twice, then fell through the hoop.
Austin Reaves continued to try to will the Lakers back, but Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez provided the finishing touches on a smooth Celtics win.
Next up is a matchup with the Raptors, this Sunday at 3:30 p.m., in Toronto.
