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Two elite teams in the association were at loggerheads tonight as the LA Clippers hosted the Boston Celtics at the Staples Center for an enticing matchup.
The fixture was supposed to feature multiple All-Star candidates, but Paul George and Jaylen Brown were on the sidelines. As a result, the contest turned into a competition between two of the best frontcourt players in the association, as Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum went mano o mano.
The game went down to the wire as Lou Williams made big plays down the stretch. That said, it was Kemba Walker's night as he surged late in the game with a big bucket to give his side the advantage as the Boston Celtics were able to hold on for the victory. The biggest stat-line on the night was the size mismatch between the two sides as the LA Clippers dominated the glass but failed to convert it into a win.
With George out, Luke Kennard got the green light to let it fly. He came out strong in the first half, dropping 13 points, which included three long-range treys. Meanwhile, Carsen Edwards had the hot hand for the Boston Celtics. He finished off proceedings with 16 points in 30 minutes from the floor.
Twitter in a frenzy as Boston Celtics surge past LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard led the effort for the LA Clippers with a team-high 28-point performance. Jayson Tatum shined bright for the Boston Celtics with an impressive 34 points for his side's twelfth win of the season. Kemba Walker was the MVP of the game as he registered 24 points and made the big bucket late in the game that swayed momentum in the Celtics' favor.
Let's check out how NBA fans on Twitter reacted to the Boston Celtics' showdown against the LA Clippers:
After trailing in the first half of the game, the Boston Celtics flipped the script in the third quarter as they surged past the LA Clippers 89-82. Jayson Tatum led the effort as his teammates rallied behind him to make their stand. The pressure was on Kawhi Leonard and his LA Clippers to make a comeback in the fourth.
NBA action will continue as the LA Clippers face off against the Sacramento Kings in their next fixture. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics will take on the high-flying Phoenix Suns in their next outing.
Guess the Lakers players!
