This team will win the championship…if they can keep their big man healthy. The Boston Celtics showed last night with their 122-118 OT win over the Lakers that they desperately need another big man in their lineup or else this championship-caliber group will go to waste against bigger teams.
That game was the epitome of why the classic big man will never be phased out of the NBA, even though 3-point and perimeter shooting has become such an important aspect of the modern game. With the Celtics having not a single starter over 6’10” as both Al Horford and Robert WIlliams were out again, the Lakers were able to dominate in the paint and nearly snatch a victory from the C’s…but not in the way most expected.
Before the game, I thought that the Celtics were in huge trouble when not only was Horford and Williams out for another game, but also that both Anthony Davis (37 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST) and LeBron James (33 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST) were suiting up to play.
The size of those two alone was enough to destroy any defense Blake Griffin or Luke Kornet could provide around the rim, which had me really worried that the Celtics were about to drop a third consecutive game.
Strangely, the Lakers resolved to shooting contested jump shots, low-percentage 3’s, or they flat out missed easy buckets in the first 15ish minutes of the game, allowing Jayson Tatum (44 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST) and Jaylen Brown (25 PTS, 15 REB, 5 AST) the opportunity to rack up a huge 18-point lead.
But, after the Celtics went up by 18 points, something must have clicked in the Lakers player’s brains. Namely, they were far bigger than the C’s, they had a massive advantage in the paint, and the Celtics were vulnerable without their defensive leaders Horford and Williams. To be honest, I don’t know what took the Lakers so long to realize that fact, but when they did, they went on a tear.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James were simply unstoppable, even when they were double teamed, as they lead the Lakers to a 27-4 scoring run to end the 3rd Quarter and erase the C’s lead. There was nothing the Celtics were doing defensively with a small lineup that even had the hopes of stopping AD and LBJ as they were dunking, slamming, and driving to the rim with ease.
It honestly became embarrassing to watch as a Celtics fan (who likes the Lakers as much as one enjoys the company of a mosquito) seeing the Lakers come all the way back from being down 18 points (68-50) at the start of the 3rd Quarter to being up by 13 points (106-93) with less than 5 minutes to go in the 4th.
That Celtics collapse hopefully should inspire Brad Stevens to go out and sign another big man as Al Horford and Robert Williams just can’t be relied on to stay healthy for 82 games and a potential Finals run. Of course, when they are healthy, they should start, but the Celtics need to pick up someone from the free agent market or through a trade to fill in for games like this.
LaMarcus Aldridge is still a free agent, though his age (37) and health risks may be too much of a risk. If not Aldridge, then the C’s should go out and trade for Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl or see what it would take to get Kristaps Porziņģis from the Wizards.
Yes, Porzingis is even more injury prone than Horford and Williams, while he also will mostly likely cost an arm and a leg for the Wizards to move on from, but that shouldn’t stop the Celtics from inquiring about his value.
It’s not like the Wizards ever want to make the playoffs again.
Nevertheless, thank the basketball gods that this Lakers team with LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis has as much composure as a headless chicken manning a 50-cal machine gun. Despite having a 13-point lead with under 5 minutes to go, the Lakers gave the Celtics a way back into this game by unguarding 3-point shots and giving away silly turnovers.
It’s hilarious how dreadful the Lakers are with three of the greatest players who have ever lived all on the court at the same time. Still, I don’t want to take away from Jayson Tatum’s CLUTCH 3-point shot over Anthony Davis and then a game-tying fadeaway over LeBron James to take the game to overtime.
And, with the game in overtime, there was only ever going to be one winner as Tatum, Brown, Williams, and Smart stole the lead back and never let it slip again, winning 122-118 and breaking the C’s 2-game slide.
But, like I said, the Celtics (22-7) desperately need another big man (or miracle cure Horford and Williams of their injuries) if they want to compete against the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the championship.
As for the Lakers (11-16), they’re just bad. Enough said about them the better.
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