Celtics Outlast Clippers in double OT, 141-133
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in double overtime, 141-133, at TD Garden on Thursday night.
Both the Clippers (37-18) and Celtics (38-16) came into the interconference matchup at full health, but Los Angeles soon had to endure the in-game loss of Paul George to a hamstring injury after only 15 minutes of floor time. The visitors still managed to ultimately force overtime after battling back from several deficits via a Marcus Morris 26-footer with 46.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Landry Shamet's three-pointer then led to a second extra period, when Boston finished on an 11-3 run over the final 2:35 to clinch the hard-fought home victory.
Lou Williams led the Clippers with 35 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Kawhi Leonard generated a 28-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included four assists, one steal and one block. Montrezl Harrell's line offered 24 points, 13 boards, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Shamet compiled 19 points. Morris contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 39 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Marcus Smart delivered 31 points, four boards, three assists and four steals. Gordon Hayward tallied 21 points, 13 boards, four assists, one steal and one block. Kemba Walker supplied 19 points, nine boards and seven assists.
The Clippers return to action after the All-Star break on Saturday, Feb. 22, when they'll face the Sacramento Kings at home. The Celtics are back on the court Friday, Feb. 21, when they'll tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road.
Both the Clippers (37-18) and Celtics (38-16) came into the interconference matchup at full health, but Los Angeles soon had to endure the in-game loss of Paul George to a hamstring injury after only 15 minutes of floor time. The visitors still managed to ultimately force overtime after battling back from several deficits via a Marcus Morris 26-footer with 46.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Landry Shamet's three-pointer then led to a second extra period, when Boston finished on an 11-3 run over the final 2:35 to clinch the hard-fought home victory.
Lou Williams led the Clippers with 35 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Kawhi Leonard generated a 28-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included four assists, one steal and one block. Montrezl Harrell's line offered 24 points, 13 boards, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Shamet compiled 19 points. Morris contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 39 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Marcus Smart delivered 31 points, four boards, three assists and four steals. Gordon Hayward tallied 21 points, 13 boards, four assists, one steal and one block. Kemba Walker supplied 19 points, nine boards and seven assists.
The Clippers return to action after the All-Star break on Saturday, Feb. 22, when they'll face the Sacramento Kings at home. The Celtics are back on the court Friday, Feb. 21, when they'll tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road.
Thunder Hold On, Defeat Pelicans Before All-Star Break
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 123-118, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday evening.
The Thunder (33-22) and the Pelicans (23-32) played a very intense encounter where things were only decided in the final minutes of the contest. New Orleans jumped to a 30-29 lead in the first quarter, but Oklahoma City turned things around and jumped ahead by eight points thanks to a 37-28 second quarter. Incredibly, the Thunder managed to hold on to their lead despite winning the third quarter (35-32) and keeping tight in the final 12 minutes of action (25-25). Oklahoma City were deadly from the field and that pushed them towards a win, as they shot 50.0 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Pelicans shot 48.8 from the field but “only” 40.0 percent from deep. With the win, Oklahoma City jumped to a 16-10 away record. The Pelicans, on the other hand, fell to 11-17 at home.
Danilo Gallinari led the Thunder offensively with 29 points, and he didn’t do much aside from scoring since he only grabbed two rebounds and collected two steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in with 17 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Chris Paul contributed 14 points, 12 dimes and eight rebounds. Steven Adams had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Dennis Schroder impressed off the bench with 22 points in 29 minutes. Mike Muscala added 10 points off the bench.
Zion Williamson topped his career-high mark and finished with 32 points (11-19 FG) while also adding six rebounds and one block. Lonzo Ball registered 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in with a 14-point, 11-assist double-double, but he also racked up six boards. J.J. Redick had 24 points off the bench.
The Thunder (33-22) and the Pelicans (23-32) played a very intense encounter where things were only decided in the final minutes of the contest. New Orleans jumped to a 30-29 lead in the first quarter, but Oklahoma City turned things around and jumped ahead by eight points thanks to a 37-28 second quarter. Incredibly, the Thunder managed to hold on to their lead despite winning the third quarter (35-32) and keeping tight in the final 12 minutes of action (25-25). Oklahoma City were deadly from the field and that pushed them towards a win, as they shot 50.0 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Pelicans shot 48.8 from the field but “only” 40.0 percent from deep. With the win, Oklahoma City jumped to a 16-10 away record. The Pelicans, on the other hand, fell to 11-17 at home.
Danilo Gallinari led the Thunder offensively with 29 points, and he didn’t do much aside from scoring since he only grabbed two rebounds and collected two steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in with 17 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Chris Paul contributed 14 points, 12 dimes and eight rebounds. Steven Adams had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Dennis Schroder impressed off the bench with 22 points in 29 minutes. Mike Muscala added 10 points off the bench.
Zion Williamson topped his career-high mark and finished with 32 points (11-19 FG) while also adding six rebounds and one block. Lonzo Ball registered 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in with a 14-point, 11-assist double-double, but he also racked up six boards. J.J. Redick had 24 points off the bench.