Jordan walsh led the way for the Celtics, scoring 25 points while shooting 50% from the field and adding eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
After being 0-2 in Summer League action, the Boston Celtics earned their first victory with a 95-90 comeback triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan Walsh led the way for the Celtics, scoring 25 points while shooting 50% from the field and adding eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
While the focus of the game should have been Dalano Banton’s debut after missing the previous two games with a finger injury, the true story has been Jay Scrubb for at least the first half.
Both teams got off to a poor start, with the Celtics looking absolutely lifeless while the Lakers developed a rhythm behind Max Christie’s 11-point first quarter. Scrubb made a buzzer-beating 3 as the first quarter came to a close, keeping the Celtics within a single digit deficit.
defense ➡️ offense pic.twitter.com/tCd3jARrHb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 13, 2023
The excitement from Scrubb’s late 3 seemed to carry over into the second quarter, as Boston embarked on an early 10-2 run to trim the Lakers’ advantage to 5. However, LA answered by increasing their advantage to 11, and the deficit never seemed to disappear. Scrubb made another key bucket as the half ended, keeping the Celtics within 10 going into the third. Scrubb scored 15 points in 13 minutes in the first half.
After halftime, the focus of the second half shifted from Scrubb to Walsh. Walsh struggled to hit anything from long range early in the game, but found success attacking the cup.
Walsh’s efforts on both ends of the floor virtually single-handedly pushed Boston back into the game. Walsh was practically imperceptible on offense. On defense, he contributed to a series of stops and turnovers, allowing the Celtics to eat into the Lakers’ diminishing lead in transition.
It’s all part of the game plan. You’re familiar with Boston. We’re known for being tough and battling, and that’s exactly what we’re doing right now.” Walsh stated. “At halftime, we gathered the team and told them, ‘hey, being down 10 at halftime is nothing.'” ‘Let’s fight it out and get a dub.'”
Jay Scrubb at the buzzer 🧼🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ay7piqS5lZ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 13, 2023
The fourth quarter was essentially the same as the third, except that the entire squad seemed to have developed a groove. Everyone on the Celtics looked to be scoring with ease, putting the Lakers uncomfortable on the other end. The Lakers made a late effort to reclaim the lead, but the Celtics never let up, as Walsh scored a tremendous slam for the dagger that basically clinched the Summer Celts’ victory.
The fourth quarter was similar to the third, except that the entire team seemed to have settled into a rhythm. The Celtics appeared to be scoring with ease, making the Lakers uneasy on the opposite end. The Lakers made a late push to recover the lead, but the Celtics never gave up, with Walsh scoring a huge slam for the dagger that effectively sealed the Summer Celts’ victory.
Leave a Reply