Jaylen Brown delivered 33 factors and 13 rebounds, and Payton Pritchard added 30 because the Boston Celtics edged the Los Angeles Clippers 121-118 on Sunday night time at TD Backyard.
Boston moved to 7-7 with the end result and secured its second consecutive victory, constructing early separation earlier than withstanding a late push.
Derrick White provided 22 factors, 9 assists, and 7 boards in a robust two-way efficiency, whereas Neemias Queta added 14 factors and 9 rebounds to bolster Boston’s inside presence.
The Celtics led by as many as 24 within the third quarter, controlling the tempo via environment friendly spacing and fast decision-making.
Pritchard’s outdoors capturing stretched the ground as he hit eight of his 13 makes an attempt from deep, together with two well timed threes that fueled a 76-52 benefit halfway via the third.
Los Angeles trimmed the deficit to 90-85 by the tip of the quarter, closing on a 12-4 run capped by James Harden’s left-wing three within the last seconds.
Harden, coming off a triple-double in a double-overtime win at Dallas, carried the Clippers’ offense once more and completed with 37 factors, scoring 32 after halftime.
Ivica Zubac contributed 16 factors and 12 rebounds, giving Los Angeles constant touches within the paint.
Derrick Jones Jr. exited within the second quarter after a collision, grabbing his proper knee earlier than being helped to the locker room. He didn’t return.
Brown steadied Boston within the early fourth, scoring 11 of the workforce’s first 16 factors within the interval via a mixture of mid-range jumpers, a 3, and a three-point play.
The Clippers continued to press, closing the hole to 119-118 when Harden linked on a deep three with two seconds left.
Pritchard was fouled on the following inbound and transformed each free throws to push the lead again to a few.
Harden had one final take a look at a possible tying try on the buzzer, however the shot hit the rim and bounced out.
Boston recorded 49 rebounds and hit 16 threes, countering Los Angeles’ 93% capturing on the foul line.
The Celtics remained composed late, limiting turnovers and securing key rebounds to carry off the rally.
Los Angeles dropped to 4-9 with the defeat as its street journey continued.
The Clippers go to Philadelphia on Monday, whereas Boston heads to Brooklyn on Tuesday looking for its third straight win.
