The Los Angeles Lakers received good news just prior to the start of their game versus the Boston Celtics, that Dwight Howard would be in the line up for the first time since missing the last 3 games. That was the last bit of good news for the Lakers on Thursday night. In front of a nationally televised audience, the Celtics absolutely torched the basketball nets at the TD Garden last night and what was left in the aftermath was a 116-95 drubbing of the Lakers.
The Celtics shot 52.9% from the field and 45.5% from 3s; luckily for the Lakers the Celtics only took 11 shots from distance. The Boston Celtics took control of the game in the 2nd quarter where they extended their 4 point lead at the end of the 1st to a 14 point lead to end the 1st half. The Celtics dominated the rest of the way, extending their lead to as many as 32 points.
In direct contrast to the Celtics shooting on the night, the Lakers were awful. The Lakers shot 41.4% from the field and a horrible 21.7% from behind the 3 point line where they went 5 for 23. The Lakers didn’t fair better from the charity stripe where they missed 12 free throws out of 30 attempts.
Metta World Peace returned from his 1 game suspension and had a horrible shooting night; Metta shot 2 for 13 from the field and missed all 5 of his 3 point attempts.
Dwight Howard returned to the starting line up but did not look ready to play. Dwight ended the night with just 9 points and 9 rebounds; he also had 4 turnovers and fouled out of the game.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 27 points on an efficient 9 for 15 shooting. Kobe did not register an assist in this game.
The Celtics killed the Lakers with tenacious defense, efficient shooting and well balanced scoring. The Celtics had 6 players in double figures, led by Paul Pierce with 24 points.
The Lakers’ next game will be against the Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte on Friday and will end their 7 game road trip against the Miami Heat on Sunday.
– Fern Rea “@fullcourtfern” & “@raining3sdotcom”
Raining3s 