Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:49 pm Post subject: LAKERS -at- CELTICS - 2-1-24 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings
”Get That Celtics Ass”... The Celtics were 22-2 on their home floor. The Lakers announced prior to the game that neither Bron nor AD were playing. So coming off a couple of lackluster games against the Hawks and Rockets, this one had L written all over it.
The Lakers started this game shooting 3-14, yet they had the lead. They were flying around the court, grabbing offensive boards, forcing turnovers. Once they got their shot to start falling, the Celtics were staggered -- punched in the face and trying to figure out what was happening.
Austin Reaves was killing them, bombing threes. Vando was everywhere. Russell was setting the table for teammates. The Lakers pulled out to a 24-15 lead when Reaves and Vando sat.
The Celtics went on a small run, but the Lakers kept active on both ends. They had 12 assists on their first 15 made baskets.
The Lakers hit 13-25 from three in the half, making extra passes and playing selflessly. They were on a roll.
Everything was going great until Vando hurt his foot, going after a loose ball. That took him out of the game, and now the Lakers would be down Vando, as well, in the second half.
The Celtics struggled to cool down Reaves in the third as he continued to dominate offensively. Meanwhile, Russell kept the offense flowing. The Celtics trimmed the lead a little, but the Lakers kept their foot on the gas. As the Celtics tried to go big, the Lakers beat them up and down the court.
Guys were hitting the floor, challenging shots. Role players like Jaxson Hayes, thrown into big minutes, were answering the call.
No AD, no Bron, no Vando, the Lakers took the 114-105 road win over the Celtics.
Russell -- -- One of the stats of the game is Russell’s 14 assists with 1 turnover. He could not finish a shot around the rim tonight to save his life, but he was setting the table for everyone else. He found Hayes a number of times for scores. He spotted Reaves for some of those threes. He hit Wood and Rui for threes. He found Ruil rolling for a dunk and then a three on a kickout on back-to-back plays later. One thing that was working for him scoring wise was the three ball. He made 4 and sank a huge one with 3 minutes left to go up by 12. That might have been the backbreaker for the Celtics. Nearly a triple-double for Russell against the Celtics. Way to contribute in multiple ways despite some of the scoring difficulties. That’s what it’s about. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 5-20 shooting (4-8 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 14 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 39 minutes. He was a +5.
Reaves -- -- He just shows up to the fights. Big games, playoffs, he elevates his game. No Bron, no AD, Reaves was the man. On fire. I didn’t realize this was his first game in Boston apparently. Well, he introduced himself to the Celtics fans quite well. He buried 7 threes, some deep, some tough, and he even drew three FTs pulling up off a screen from three. He led the team with 19 points on 5-7 shooting from three in the first half. He followed that up with another big third quarter. On one play, he went between his legs to cross over Tatum and score a layup. The crowd was buzzing after he split a double team on the dribble on another play. Early in the first half, he got past a defender, split a couple more and hit Vando for the dunk. Defensively, I’m surprised the Celtics didn’t go to Holiday more in the post against Reaves until late in the game. They scored a couple times and then we went to a zone for a possession to get a stop. By then, it was too late. Game over. Good job in the minutes without Russell on the court. Reaves was a +11 in those 8 or so minutes. The Stats: He scored 32 points on 10-18 shooting (7-10 from three, 5-7 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 foul in 35 minutes. He was a +16.
Vanderbilt -- -- I hope he’s okay. He had an awkward non-contact injury pushing off at the end of the first half. He was destroying in that half. Boards, energy, hustle, he was flying around the court. We finally got him in the starting lineup, but no Bron and AD. There is a lot to be said about someone setting the tone with that energy. The basketball gods were smiling with how the Lakers were playing. The extra ball movement to Vando in the corner paid off as he buried a couple of threes. He also had a dunk on a great drive and dish from Reaves. Throw in a couple of freethrows. He had 10 points and 7 boards in the first half and then on one of the final few possessions, he was going after a ball on the sideline and came up limping. Went right to the bench. The x-rays were negative and they said he had foot soreness. So who knows? Great job Vando. “He set an unbelievable tone for the game,” Ham said. Well, can we do that more? The Stats: He scored 10 points on 3-7 shooting (2-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 7 boards (3 offensive), 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers and no fouls in 16 minutes. He was a +17.
Hayes -- -- Season highs in points and boards. The Lakers came out with energy and speed. The game was playing to his pace. He and Vando were flying around the court. Hayes had 6 offensive boards. One play in the second half, he tipped a board once, twice, grabbed it a third time and put in the And-1. He tapped out an offensive board that led to a Prince three. He drew FTs crashing the boards. He putback slammed a missed Russell drive. We need more of that. His teammates were also finding him. Russell found him for a dunk on the screen roll, a lob finish and a dunk trailing the break and for FTs leaking out after a challenge. Good chemistry by those two. “This is a childhood dream. Starting for the Lakers in a Celtic game?” Hayes said. After the game, he said he and the coaches worked on being more careful with his hands. He said that’s how he fell out of the rotation, so they put a lot of work in that area. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 6-8 shooting (4-5 from the line) to go with 10 boards (6 offensive), 2 assists, 3 steals and no fouls in 34 minutes. He was a +3.
Prince -- -- Some talk that he might have been bumped out of the starting lineup tonight if Bron and AD started. Who knows? Whether he knew that or not, he was so active out there tonight with 8 boards. The Lakers needed that without their starting C/PF. He did a good job attacking off the three line multiple times for scores. With Porzingis on him occasionally, he made sure he got by him after dragging him out to the perimeter. He also pushed the pace. Some good work, too, getting into the middle of the paint and then moving the ball. He had a block late in the game of Tatum and also jumped the passing lane for a steal. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 5-10 shooting (1-2 from three) to go with 8 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 foul in 38 minutes. He was a -9.
Hachimura -- -- He started the second half for Vando, who injured himself at the end of the second quarter. Good job knocking down the three ball. Those were killer and stretched the floor. He also had a pull-up jumper against the shot clock and dunk when Russell hit him rolling. I really liked the passing in this game. He was in on some of those swing-swing sequences, moving the ball to the open man and good things happened as a result. He didn’t get a steal or block, but had some good challenges and also stripped a ball off Brown who attacked the paint. They called the foul on Rui, but we reviewed and it showed a clean strip off Brown and Laker ball. The Stats: He scored 15 points on 5-14 shooting (3-6 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 4 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 33 minutes. He was a +4.
Wood -- -- I didn’t realize how inefficient he was. His one make was from three. He had some good looks there. “He played a great game, just missed some shots,” Russell said afterward. The Laker defense finally kept scoring in check. Everybody contributed there. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 1-9 shooting (1-4 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards (2 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal and no fouls in 18 minutes. He was a +2.
Christie -- -- I liked his aggression in a big game. He didn’t shrink from the fight. He hit a pull-up at the freethrow line in transition, taking what the defense gave us. He attacked at the end of the quarter on the break to score a layup with 3 seconds left. He also buried a corner three against the shotclock. Late in the game, no credit for the hockey assist, but he attacked the paint hard, collapsed the D, kicked to Russell, who kept the pressure on and kicked it to Rui for a big three. He looked very poised out there. Good job. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 3-7 shooting (1-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 23 minutes. He was a +10.
Mays -- -- In for a minute of garbage time. Nothing to report. The Stats: He had no stats in 1 minute. He was a +0.
Windler -- -- In for a minute of garbage time. Nothing to report. The Stats: He had 1 board in 1 minute. He was a +0.
Lewis -- -- He missed a drive in garbage time. The Stats: He had no stats in 1 minute. He was a +0.
Hood-Schifino -- -- Our victory cigar, light it up Red Auerbach-style. He came in for the final minute of garbage time and drew some FTs. The Stats: He had 1 point on 1-2 shooting from the line. He was a -2.
Ham -- -- Key Moment: The Lakers started the first and third quarters with good energy. In the first quarter, the Lakers just overwhelmed the Celtics, getting loose balls, offensive boards. They may have had 10 offensive boards and forced nearly as many turnovers. Celtics were on their heels.
Key Substitution: Credit the whole team tonight. Everyone was contributing and sharing the ball. All the rotation players had an assist (30 total without Bron and AD on the floor). Great team effort.
Key Stats: The Lakers made 19-36 from three. They had 15 offensive boards and just 7 turnovers. Efficient three shooting, second chances and keeping the turnovers down, that’s what you want on the road.
The Lakers have stunk it up this season, but between the In Season Tournament, the Warriors game last week, and tonight's Celtics game, they have certainly had some highlights to celebrate!
You forgot to mention that coward LeBron. Didn’t want to associate himself with a blowout against the best team in the league. AD was hurt. Bron? You kidding me? So annoyed.
The victory cigar! Thanks a lot, wonderful write up as always.
Ditto, DB! _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Regardless of what happens going forward, beating the Celtics in Boston without four of our seven main players will always be my favorite game during this year's regular season.
DB for Destroy Boston!!! _________________ “The main goal for the Lakers is to win a championship. All I care about, all we care about, is to raise another banner in the rafters.“
Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 4193 Location: Space City
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:31 am Post subject:
Have not see the collective team play as well since the IST. All the players clearly knew their roles and were involved.
Celtics looked like they got punched in the mouth and never recovered. It was liked how we are when the Knicks or Nets rolled into Crypto. Shoe was on the other foot last night.
With LBJ and AD seeing how these Lakers were aggressive and effective in a free-flowing offensive sets and defensive schemes where everybody was on a string - how will LBJ/AD incorporate the many positives into the team play (maybe quicker and more decisive actions are needed)
In the past, it was ISO consisting of waiting for double teams on AD or LBJ that often saps the energy of the other players because action is at a standstill. It is the eternal question of how to play with HOFers.
With LBJ and AD seeing how these Lakers were aggressive and effective in a free-flowing offensive sets and defensive schemes where everybody was on a string - how will LBJ/AD incorporate the many positives into the team play (maybe quicker and more decisive actions are needed)
In the past, it was ISO consisting of waiting for double teams on AD or LBJ that often saps the energy of the other players because action is at a standstill. It is the eternal question of how to play with HOFers.
With LBJ and AD seeing how these Lakers were aggressive and effective in a free-flowing offensive sets and defensive schemes where everybody was on a string - how will LBJ/AD incorporate the many positives into the team play (maybe quicker and more decisive actions are needed)
In the past, it was ISO consisting of waiting for double teams on AD or LBJ that often saps the energy of the other players because action is at a standstill. It is the eternal question of how to play with HOFers.
DLo is more willing to move the ball, yet he won’t have it as much. Vandy and Hayes are way more twitchy and spasdic ( in a good way) which gets tempered with AD . It was a glorious game to watch. Our two HOF players are more lumbering which takes away the only real strength some of our others guys have which is hops, length and recklessness. _________________ Kobe.
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it is still surreal that we beat the best team in the league on the road without Lebron and AD and half of Vando, and it was a rather comfortable win no less.
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-- I hope he’s okay. He had an awkward non-contact injury pushing off at the end of the first half. He was destroying in that half. Boards, energy, hustle, he was flying around the court. We finally got him in the starting lineup, but no Bron and AD. There is a lot to be said about someone setting the tone with that energy. The basketball gods were smiling with how the Lakers were playing. The extra ball movement to Vando in the corner paid off as he buried a couple of threes. He also had a dunk on a great drive and dish from Reaves. Throw in a couple of freethrows. He had 10 points and 7 boards in the first half and then on one of the final few possessions, he was going after a ball on the sideline and came up limping. Went right to the bench. The x-rays were negative and they said he had foot soreness. So who knows? Great job Vando. “He set an unbelievable tone for the game,” Ham said. Well, can we do that more? 
-- Some talk that he might have been bumped out of the starting lineup tonight if Bron and AD started. Who knows? Whether he knew that or not, he was so active out there tonight with 8 boards. The Lakers needed that without their starting C/PF. He did a good job attacking off the three line multiple times for scores. With Porzingis on him occasionally, he made sure he got by him after dragging him out to the perimeter. He also pushed the pace. Some good work, too, getting into the middle of the paint and then moving the ball. He had a block late in the game of Tatum and also jumped the passing lane for a steal. 
-- I didn’t realize how inefficient he was. His one make was from three. He had some good looks there. “He played a great game, just missed some shots,” Russell said afterward. The Laker defense finally kept scoring in check. Everybody contributed there. 
-- I liked his aggression in a big game. He didn’t shrink from the fight. He hit a pull-up at the freethrow line in transition, taking what the defense gave us. He attacked at the end of the quarter on the break to score a layup with 3 seconds left. He also buried a corner three against the shotclock. Late in the game, no credit for the hockey assist, but he attacked the paint hard, collapsed the D, kicked to Russell, who kept the pressure on and kicked it to Rui for a big three. He looked very poised out there. Good job. 
-- In for a minute of garbage time. Nothing to report. 
-- In for a minute of garbage time. Nothing to report. 
-- He missed a drive in garbage time. 
-- Our victory cigar, light it up Red Auerbach-style. He came in for the final minute of garbage time and drew some FTs. 
-- Key Moment: The Lakers started the first and third quarters with good energy. In the first quarter, the Lakers just overwhelmed the Celtics, getting loose balls, offensive boards. They may have had 10 offensive boards and forced nearly as many turnovers. Celtics were on their heels.
.
