The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117-113 in overtime. Both teams were shorthanded in this contest and Los Angeles nearly pulled off a shocking win. The Celtics were without Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford. Meanwhile, the Clippers were without James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Norm Powell, Ivica Zubac, Kris Dunn, and Nicolas Batum. In their absence, Derrick Jones Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. led the way in scoring, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown did so for Boston. The Boston Celtics improved to 31-13 and the Clippers fell to 24-19.
A Tight First Half
The Boston Celtics’ last meeting with the Clippers was a blowout win but with so many injuries on both sides, nothing was certain in this game. Jaylen Brown got off to a hot start for Boston, but Kevin Porter Jr. answered for Los Angeles. The Clippers went on an 8-0 run and started the game shooting 8-of-11. Neither team was missing many shots, so the lead went back and forth. This made for a high-scoring first quarter with neither team building a lead. Derrick Jones Jr. was on fire, shooting 7-of-9 and scoring 17 points. At the end of the first quarter, the Los Angeles Clippers led 34-33. Tatum and Sam Hauser each had 9 points.
With all the injuries, many players who don’t usually see the floor were getting minutes. It made most of the first quarter feel like a pickup game. Both teams continued to trade baskets in the second quarter with neither team playing much defense. The Boston Celtics eventually built a four-point lead with a Derrick White dunk on a fast break. Brown and Tatum also continued to score, but the Clippers shot-making kept them in the game. Amir Coffey got rolling, making tough basket after tough basket. Los Angeles briefly took the lead back, but at halftime, the Boston Celtics led 60-59.
Tatum, Brown, and Hauser were the Celtics leading scorers in the first half. Tatum had 13 points, while Brown and Hauser each had 12. Hauser was shooting 4-of-5 from three. Offensively, it was a good half for the Boston Celtics, but they could never build a significant lead. Jones Jr. led Los Angeles with 19 points. Coffey had 14 and Porter Jr. had 11. The Clippers were in this game because they continued to make tough, contested shots.
It was clear they were not lying down despite their injuries. Injured teams have consistently given Boston problems this season, from the Magic to the Kings. The Clippers gave them plenty of problems here, keeping the game neck and neck.
A Close Finish
The Celtics and Clippers continued their back-and-forth affair in the third quarter. Brown kept rolling for the Boston Celtics, but Porter Jr. answered again. Porter Jr. was getting to the basket and making shots no matter the contest. He scored 13 points in the third quarter and shot like he had a magnet ball. His efforts gave Los Angeles the lead on a 7-0 run. The Clippers also dominated the glass and scored second-chance points. On top of that, the Celtics shooting had cooled off, so Los Angeles maintained their lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Clippers led 84-81.
In the fourth quarter, the Clippers built their largest lead of the night. However, the Boston Celtics responded and took the lead with a White three-pointer. One player who made an impact was Jaden Springer, who came off the bench and got four steals for the Celtics. Los Angeles went on a scoring drought and Boston pulled off a 13-0 run. With four minutes remaining, the Celtics had a 96-91 lead. The Clippers kept things tight down the stretch, even with key buckets from Tatum, Springer, and White.
In the final minute, a technical foul gave Los Angeles three free throws, making it a four-point game. On the following possession, Brown made two free throws, putting Boston up by six. The Clippers quickly scored, and a Coffey dunk made it a two-point game with 12 seconds to go. All the Celtics had to do was inbound the ball and get fouled, but Brown tried to do too much, throwing a bad pass that led to a Clippers layup, tying the game. It was another late-game meltdown from Boston. The Boston Celtics could not get a final shot, and it went to overtime tied 103-103.
The Boston Celtics Win In Overtime
The Boston Celtics had the same issue against the Hawks, where they had the game won, but turned it over and found themselves in overtime. It should not be difficult for a team to hold the ball and draw a foul, but it is for the Celtics. In overtime, Boston opened with three-pointers from White, Tatum, and Brown. This gave them a seven-point lead that they maintained until there were two minutes left. A Porter Jr. bucket and a Jones Jr. three brought it back to two.
Then, Springer made a clutch corner three, putting Boston up by five. But the Clippers weren’t done. A Coffey and one made it a two-point game once again. Los Angeles was desperate on defense, trying to cause a turnover, but it led to an open Neemias Queta bucket under the basket. This sealed the nail-biting 117-113 win for the Boston Celtics.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Celtics improved to 31-13 with the win. Brown led with 25 points and Tatum wasn’t far behind with 24. White was huge down the stretch and finished with 20 points. But the biggest X-factor may have been Springer. Springer rarely sees the floor but scored 8 points including two clutch three-pointers and four steals.
The Clippers dropped to 24-19 with the loss but have nothing to be ashamed of. They shot 60% from the field for almost the entire game. Jones Jr. scored 29 points, Porter Jr. had 26, and Coffey had 24. These players stepped up and nearly pulled off the win. The Boston Celtics must polish their late-game finishes, but a win is a win. They face the Los Angeles Lakers next, while the Clippers play the Wizards.
