Anthony Davis explains that the looming prospect of losing 3 in a row motivated the Lakers and LeBron James to make a 4th quarter surge and beat the Celtics.
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The Los Angeles Lakers very closely avoided losing 3 games in a row. After being a perfect 10-0 on the road, they lost two in a row. They had back-to-back losses to the Sixers and the Pistons. The Lakers edged over the Celtics 96-95, with a lot of luck. An out-of-rhythm Kemba Walker went 1-12 from the field and missed a potential game-winner in the final seconds.
Daniel Theis missed a final second putback, and the Lakers won the contest. Anthony Davis led the way with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while LeBron James added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Jayson Tatum put up 30 points and 9 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 28 points as well, but in the end, they fell short.
Anthony Davis highlights the key motivation behind tonight’s win with LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers should need no reason more than their ages-old rivalry to win over the Boston Celtics. However, that rivalry has been dormant since the 2010 Finals, as both the teams have been on their rebuild paths.
Anthony Davis reveals the key motivation was to not lose 3 games in a row. After the game, AD told Rachel Nichols, “We for damn sure wasn’t losing three in a row.”
Another reason can be to avenge the beating the Celtics gave the Lakers the last time they were in the TD Garden. The Celtics had beaten the Lakers 139-107. That was one of the biggest losses the 2020 Champions had faced that season.
“We got a little revenge with this team,” Davis told Nichols. “They came in last year and beat us by (roughly) 30, last time we were in this building.”
The Lakers are now 4-2 on the 7 game road trip. They play their last match of the trip against the Hawks on February 1st.
