The China Mail - Tatum dominates as Celtics hold off Lakers; James injury scare

The latest instalment of the most iconic rivalry in basketball was billed as a potential NBA finals preview, pitting the defending champion Celtics against a resurgent Lakers line-up led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

But after a closely-fought first half where both sides went toe-to-toe before Boston edged into a four-point lead at the break, the game pivoted when the Celtics locked down the Lakers offense in a lopsided third quarter.

A disappointing loss for the Lakers was compounded by an injury to James, who left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return with what was described as a groin problem.

Tatum, who finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, said the return of Jrue Holiday had been pivotal for the Celtics.

"We missed Jrue," Tatum told ESPN. "It was his first game back in a while, and we're a totally different team when Jrue's out there.

"There's so many things he does at both ends that may not always show up on the stat sheet. But much better when he's out there."

Tatum's fourth 40-point game of the season was backed by 31 points from Jaylen Brown, while veteran Al Horford finished with 14 points and Derrick White 10.

The Lakers challenge meanwhile was led by Doncic, the Slovenian star who finished with 34 points including five three-pointers. James added 22 points before his departure in the fourth quarter.

After leading by four at half-time, the Celtics rapidly surged into a double-digit advantage, staunching the flow of Lakers' points with suffocating defense that forced a string of turnovers from the visitors.

- Warriors hold off Pistons -

At the other end, Tatum kept the Celtics score ticking over with 10 points in the third quarter as Boston pulled clear, outscoring the Lakers 29-13 to lead 87-67 heading into the final quarter.

Doncic found his range and threatened to spark a remarkable comeback as the Lakers got to within four points at 99-95, but Boston responded with back-to-back three-pointers that restored the Celtics 10-point cushion to effectively ice the game.

Boston improved to 46-18 to remain second in the Eastern Conference, 7.5 games behind leaders Cleveland.

The Lakers meanwhile dropped down to third place in the the Western Conference with a 41-22 record.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a pulsating 115-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons in a game that was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm at the Chase Center.

Stephen Curry scored 31 points while new recruit Jimmy Butler added 26 with nine rebounds and five assists.

But it was the veteran Draymond Green who helped shepherd the Warriors to victory, draining a crucial 26-foot three-pointer with 35 seconds remaining that put Golden State into a 110-108 lead.

Curry then slammed the door with four straight free throws in the closing seconds as the Warriors improved to 36-28 in the Western Conference table. Detroit meanwhile dropped to 35-29 in the Eastern Conference standings.

In other games, Paolo Banchero scored 29 points as the Orlando Magic took down the in-form Milwaukee Bucks 111-109 on the road, Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 37 points in vain for the hosts.

In Atlanta, Trae Young's 36 points helped the Hawks edge the Indiana Pacers 120-118.

In Houston, Dillon Brooks scored 27 points with Alperen Sengun adding 20 as the Rockets pulverised the New Orleans Pelicans 146-117.

Z.Ma--ThChM