Boston Celtics 126-115 Los Angeles Lakers: score, stats, highlights | NBA Christmas Day
Boston Celtics - Los Angeles Lakers: as it happened
It ends in Los Angeles and a comprehensive win for Boston following a storming start.
The Celtics came out of the blocks in flying form and cruised to an 18 point lead at one stage in Q1.
Despite a brief rally from the Lakers in Q2 and at the start of the third where they momentarily held the lead thanks to the scoring exploits if an inspired Anthony Davis, Boston soon regained control of the game with Latvian Porzingis taking control with 25 points.
The final quarter was a formality with the Celtics always able to keep Lakers at distance and the side from Massachusetts maintain their grip at the top of the Eastern Conference as the Lakers still look to find league consistency after winning the NBA In-Season tournament recently.
Another loss on the cards for the Lakers who have stuttered after winning the NBA In-Season tournament.
2-6 after the win over the Pacers in the final for LA.
The Lakers pull back to ten points but there is only 1:30 on the clock.
2:40 left on the clock and bar a shock of monumental proportions, Celtics will get the W
Time out LA
Boston lead by 12 and just over 4 minutes on the clock.
Anthony Davis still leads the scoring rankings with the Lakers man bagging 33 points.
Lakers call a time out as the clock ticks down.
Pritchard is back on court and has been impressive for Boston tonight as it appears that both teams look a little jaded.
LeBron back on court despite fears that he would be rested after the earlier knee injury scare.
Q4 underway and Celtics will look to keep the Lakers at bay.
41-33 points in the third.
What a triple from Reeves.
LA refuse to roll over.
Celtics slowly retaking the control back from the Lakers and despite not enjoying the dominance they enjoyed in the first quarter, they have addressed the problems of the second quarter.
Boston call a time out as this game moves in waves of dominance.
Porzingis sinks another triple and moves to 22 points for Boston.
Anthony Davis still leading the way in terms of scoring tonight sinking 23 points.
Porzingis has been excellent in attack and defence for Boston.
Lakers call a time out.
Boston get their noses in front again as they now lead by three.
Jayson Tatum has failed to catch fire tonight and has only bagged nine points so far today.
Q3 is underway
Impossible to call how this will play out...
Boston need to rediscover the form that saw them lead by 18 points but all the initattive is with LA at the moment.
The 2nd quarter comes to an end and despite leading by 18 points at the start if the first quarter, there's just one point between the two NBA giants.
Davis now with 20 points for the Lakers in the first half.
1:32 left in the quarter as Boston challenge for a foul.
Prince fouls Tatum and Boston get two free throws
All square at Crypto.Com Arena
A great comeback by the Lakers
Tatum has been quiet (by his standards) for Boston tonight having just scored 9 points so far in the game.
Porzingis sinks a triple and gives Boston some breathing room as the Lakers are the team with the wind in their sails.
The focus of pain for LeBron is the left knee and the 38-year-old heads to the bench.
LeBron and Brown collide and both players are on the floor of the Crypto.com Arena.
Brown slowly gets to his feet but LeBron is limping.
Less than five minutes remain in the quarter as the Lakers pulls things back to just one point.
Boston call a time out as Davis pulls LA back to three points
The Lakers have the poorest Q1 record this season and the Celtics the best !
Lakers trail by 6 now having been behind by 18 points in Q1
Lebron sinks his first triple of the game.
The Lakers star is on 41% for the season so far.
Pritchard sink another basked and has racked up eight points this quarter.
Pritchard has looked good for Boston tonight as he sinks his first triple of the game.
Celtics ahead by ten.
Fine triple from Jrue Holiday as the Lakers continue to chip away at the lead
Q2 is underway
Davis has 13 points so far tonight for the Lakers
Despite the Celtics coming out of the trap with fury, the Lakers with the help of Anthony Davis are still in with a shout.
Lakers cut the lead back to 11 with Davis the star player for the home side.
Anthony Davis is leading the Lakers challenge with the 30-year-old bagging ten points so far today
Boston hit 30 points with less than 4 minutes on the clock
Brown and Holiday the Celtics players doing damage at the moment as they still hold an 11 point lead over the home side.
Boston with 14 points and Jayson Tatum yet to take a shot for the Celtics.
The Lakers finally get off the mark as Reddish hits a triple
Boston are on fire as the team in green sink another triple and now hold a 12-0 lead.
We're underway and Boston already hold a 4-0 lead
In the second NBA game of Christmas Day, the Denver Nuggets have beaten GS Warriors 120-114
Probable starting players
Lakers: Russell, Reddish, Vanderbilt, James, Davis
Celtics: Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis
Lakers-Celtics: all time head-to-head
The Celtics and Lakers have met on 298 times in the NBA regular season.
The green side come out on top with 165 wins against the 133 for their side from California.
LeBron James / MICHAEL REAVES / Getty Images via AFP
LeBron on Celtics Christmas game
Speaking to the media pre-Christmas Day game, Le Bron James claimed: “It’s one of the best days the NBA has in our season. “It’s always special, but more importantly it’s a day for being around family, being an opportunity for myself to be a giver, and give to my loved ones and people who supported me throughout my journey every single day since I began this, so it’s all about my family, my friends and my kids, my wife and my mom and so on. It’s a great for sports in general, especially for basketball too.”
Boston Celtics / MADDIE MEYER / Getty Images via AFP
Boston boss speaks pre game
Speaking to the media ahead of the Christmas Day game in LA, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stated:
"I do like the fact that we're developing a fast-paced identity and not turning it over. "I think at times in the past, we've played fast but turned it over. So we're finding a good balance of pace and execution, which I think is important. But it's not because of the points. I just liked our execution."
Lakers warming up
With less than an hour to go to tip-off at the Crypto.com Arena, Lakers players go through their warm up routine.
Last meeting
The last time the Celtics faced the Lakers was back in January with the Los Angeles side running out winners in overtime.
The Boston Celtics along with the Minnesota Timberwolves are the form teams in the NBA season so far having both recorded 22 wins and just 6 defeats.
The Lakers shone in the NBA In-Season Tournament beating the Pacers in the final but in recent games have been off the pace, losing six games back-to-back after claiming the In-Season tournament and only rediscovered winning ways last time out with a win over OKC.
Five big games NBA on Christmas Day
The NBA scheduled five mouthwatering games for Christmas Day and the Celtics-Lakers is game 3/5.
From early afternoon until late at night on Monday, December 25, five highly attractive games will be played. The action tips off at midday at Madison Square Garden in New York City where the Knicks overcame the Bucks. All of the Christmas Day games are attractive but perhaps top of the bill is the 5pm clash between leaders Boston and the Lakers in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic’s Mavs bring it to a close when they face the Suns in Phoenix on Monday night.
New York Knicks - Milwaukee Bucks (Madison Square Garden). 12:00 noon ET / 9 a.m PT. ESPN
Denver Nuggets - Golden State Warriors (Ball Arena). 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT. ESPN, ABC
Los Angeles Lakers - Boston Celtics (Crypto Arena). 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. ESPN, ABC
Miami Heat - Philadelphia Sixers (Kaseya Center). 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. ESPN
Phoenix Suns - Dallas Mavericks (Footprint Center). 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT. ESPN
How much do tickets cost for the Celtics vs Lakers?
Looking to scoop last minute tickets for the game in LA?
Earlier today, Celtics vs. Lakers tickets could be found for as low as $164.00, with an average price of $391.00, and the highest prices starting from $2345.00.
The game between the Celtics and the Lakers will be played at Crypto.com Arena with tip-off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Christmas Day NBA action as the Boston Celtics face LA Lakers.