The Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James admitted they couldn’t close out the game but he loved the team’s effort against Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. The Lakers went down 122-118 against the Celtics in Overtime.
The Lakers trailed by 15 points after the first half but bounced back stronger in the third and fourth quarter to force the game into Overtime. The Lakers took the third quarter by 32-23 and then the fourth by 28-22.
However, Celtics outscored the Lakers by 12-8 in overtime to bag the match. Jayson Tatum top-scored for the Celtics with 44 points to lead his team to victory.
Jaylen Brown believes this win is the testimony of the team’s experience and mental toughness.
“That game just says a lot about our experience and mental toughness,” said Jaylen Brown, who added five of his 25 points in overtime. “That’s a tough and perfect way to close out our road trip.”
“We gave ourselves a chance to win,” LeBron James said. “We didn’t close it out. But loved our effort. I loved our tenacity in the second half and put ourselves in a position to win a ballgame playing against a great team.”
On the other hand, the Lakers had a chance to seal the deal but Anthony Davis missed two of his free throws at the fag end of the game with 28 seconds remaining.
“I haven’t thought about the rest of the game,” a crestfallen Davis said after the loss. “Make two free throws, go up four, different ballgame. To me, the rest doesn’t matter. Had a chance to ice the game and missed both.”
Davis, who has been in spectacular form in the ongoing season, had also missed a chance to win the game against Philadelphia 76ers.
“Boston is a great team. Philly’s a great team. Two great teams in the East,” Davis said. “Got a chance as a team, but me personally, to kind of seal both games. Missed one in Philly, missed both tonight. Both resulted in losses.”
The Lakers will next take on Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
