Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving recorded 30 points (12-18 shooting from the field, 5-8 shooting from three-point range), seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks as he led the Celtics to a 120-107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. It was Boston’s third straight win and their fourth win in five games this month.
Starters Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart would score 16 points each while Gordon Hayward added 15 points from the bench.
Lakers forward LeBron James would score 30 points himself in a triple-double effort, adding 12 assists and 10 rebounds against the Celtics and rookie center Moritz Wagner would surprise with 22 points.
Though the Lakers were missing key players, with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram out for the season, it was important for Boston to handle business against a team that they were favored to beat. After a slow start and a first quarter that would end with just a one-point lead for the Celtics, Boston began to stretch the lead behind a sensational offensive display from Irving.
Irving continues to show he’s one of the league’s best scorers and, as he has throughout the season but especially since arriving in Boston, was a determined facilitator.
The Celtics will finish their West Coast trip with a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, led by former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, on Monday.
