Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Celtics and Lakers resumed their rivalry on Saturday night.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Dwyer/AP.)
No matter the situation and no matter what year, the Celtics and Lakers usually produce compelling basketball.
You look at the previous match-ups they have had in the regular season. Sure, there was that 32-point beatdown the Celtics gave the Lakers but there was also another match-up that year where it came down to the final possession (which the Lakers won and it included a clutch turnaround J by LeBron James). In 2018-19, former Celtic and then-Laker Rajon Rondo put a dagger to his old team by sticking a buzzerbeating jumper. And then there was another game in Jan. 2018, where Marcus Smart missed a 3 that could’ve won the Celtics the game.
We remember the last time the Celtics and Lakers faced off in the Finals; in the 2009-10 regular season, both teams each had a one-point win on the other. 2009 had another one-point thriller that went overtime; Ray Allen missed a 3 at the buzzer. In 2006, Kobe Bryant missed a last-second jumper and Boston won by one. We can even go all the way back to 1995 when Nick Van Exel made a game-winning three for the Lakers in their last match-up ever at Boston Garden.
And these are just the regular season games that obviously have lower stakes than the playoffs. We know their Finals history, where they faced each other in the championship round a record 12 times. Boston skunked the Lakers up until 1985 when L.A. finally beat them in a championship round. Overall, the Celtics have won 9 of 12 Finals match-ups but L.A. has won three of the last four.
Of course, both fan bases like to boast about the number of banners they have: both Celtics and Lakers are tied at 17 (Lakers won 5 in Minneapolis and then have 12 more in L.A.). While Boston’s current team is mostly homegrown, the Lakers dipped into their resources (big market and weather), signed LeBron James, and made a deal for Anthony Davis. Both teams made the final four in last summer’s playoffs but the Miami Heat robbed the Celtics of a 13th Finals against the Lakers.
So yes, Saturday’s match-up, even in a pandemic and no fans, still offered some sizzle. We saw the young stars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (I mean, look at TNLP by Tatum!). We saw the grit of Marcus Smart (who would have a scary injury and would leave; the injury, however, was as “good as it gets” with a calf strain). We watched Daniel Theis hustle for points. LeBron continued to marvel us with his MVP level of play. Anthony Davis showed us how basketball is today with his combination of size and skill. Montrezl Harrell bulldozed his way to the post. Alex Caruso is a smaller version of Kurt Rambis by doing all the little things.
And of course, it came down to the last possession. Davis lost the ball with 10 seconds left. Even though Caruso did his best to play interference, the Celtics still managed to keep possession. But Kemba Walker missed the potential game-winner and Theis missed the putback at the buzzer. The Lakers came away with yet another one-point victory.
This is why the NBA, even though it’s fizzled in recent years, continues to promote THE rivalry.
Bullet Passes
Of course, I praise San Antonio and then they take a loss to the returning Memphis Grizzlies. By the way, Memphis has won 6 straight. And we forget because they’ve had so many games postponed.
Jimmy Butler finally returned to the Heat. 30-7-8 for the man. And they took the duke against the Kings.
The Mavericks have lost five straight games. This makes me really sad for Luka Doncic.
Klay Thompson is hilarious even when he’s trying not to be.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Golden State Warriors.)
And man, he did not let up on Rodney McGruder.
For that matter, neither did Draymond Green.
Highlights coming up.
Let’s not forget how Jaxson Hayes throws down.
“Oh my goodness” 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6Jnh2kQPJP
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) January 31, 2021
Cody Zeller says hi to Giannis Antetokounmpo up close.
Cody Zeller slams it home! pic.twitter.com/u6npmnbWL1
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) January 31, 2021
That’ll be something he’ll remember forever.
Again, Miles Bridges is one of the best game-dunkers today.
LaMelo lob to Miles Bridges 🔨 pic.twitter.com/QWh1kxbWAY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2021
Also, “Air BnB” for Ball to Bridges? I like that.
One more thing, LaMelo Ball had a HELL of a game. He finished with a 27-5-9 line AND FOUR steals off the bench. With Terry Rozier getting hurt, this paves the way for LaMelo to start. RIGHT?!
Seriously, is there anyone else you want taking the last shot of the game than Dame? Take a look after the scoreboard.
(By the way, three games finished with one-point margins on Saturday.)
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 30, 2021
Watch This Play
Damian Lillard wins it at the buzzer against Chicago.
DAMIAN LILLARD WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QmkwTgIByU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2021
NBA opponents never want their clocks to come down to Dame Time. My gosh.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else. GG.