LA Clippers Survive the OT Drama, Beat Boston Celtics, 107-104

LA Clippers got the OT drama against the Boston Celtics, beating the No.1 team in the East, 107-104. The fans at Staples Center had a chance to see one of the best games this season. Without a doubt.

So many tough baskets, so many clutch shots, and fierce defenses. Controversial calls of the officials, challenges, missed game-winners, it was all a part of the epic clash in LA last night. But unfortunately, the officials decided to step in and take over the central role in the end.

They heavily damaged the Celtics, with several decisions late in the game, making calls that definitely affected the final result. Foul on Paul George, which, to be honest, never happened, a tech to Brad Stevens, and Jason Tatum’s foul on Kawhi, all those calls were highly controversial, especially because they occurred in the moments when the game was on the line.

https://twitter.com/troy_mac11/status/1197394528807931904

In the end, Kawhi Leonard blocked Kemba Walker’s three-point attempt to tie the game and force a second OT. The Claw redeemed for missing what could have been a game-winning three at the end of the regulations.

The two teams were close right from the start, and up to the end, providing a fantastic spectacle for all the spectators. It was a game in which defenses had a primary role, and each possession was a war of its own.

“It was a high-level game,” says Brad Stevens. “Both teams competed, even when shots weren’t going down.”

Things on the court started to heat up in the late part of the third. Jayson Tatum and Brad Wanamaker had their little show in those moments. With the Clippers leading five points, 54-49, Tatum woke up midway through the quarter, scoring 14 points until the end of the same. He dropped four three-pointers, getting the Celtics in the game, and increasing the pressure on the hosts.

Wanamaker delivered 7 points over the last 1:19 of the period pushing his team to a 75-69 lead, not allowing the Clippers to be close or even make a run for the lead.

Meanwhile, at the start of the last, the fans at the Staples Center saw a festival of downtown shots. The Celtics were keeping the advantage mostly relying on Walker, who scored two threes, while on the other side, Lou Williams added two, and Pat Beverly struck once.

Marcus Smart had a role of his own, but not in defense, as many would expect. His six points and an assist to Brown for a dunk, kept the Celtics above the surface, maintaining the distance between them and the hosts to 6 points.

However, Lou Wiliams stepped in to show that he is still the leader of this team in the decisive moments, even though he has Kawhi and Paul George now beside him. Sweet Lou scored 13 points in the last period, including the final five of his team, which brought them from being behind to a three-point lead.

Yet, Tatum stole the show from him in the end, after breaking Paul George’s ankles and drilling a game-tying three, which sent both teams to OT.

Jayson Tatum is a BAD man! 😱

(via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/CkXMII9ZrP

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 21, 2019

Apart from Tatum, who scored 6 out of Boston’s 7 points in the additional five minutes, the nervous guests didn’t have any other player to step in. Meanwhile, among the Clippers, Beverly took over the wheel and dropped two threes. The one for 107-102, with 43.9 seconds before the end, eventually decided this event.

“I thought he single-handedly willed that game with his effort,” Rivers said about Beverly.

Williams had 27 points, and was the best scorer for the hosts. Paul George added 25 and 8 dimes, while, Leonard scored just 17. The two didn’t have a good debut together, shooting 15 for 38 from the field and combining for 10 turnovers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-EegoHvas

Meanwhile, Pat Beverly scored 14 points but had an unbelievable 16 rebounds and 7 dimes.

“Plays all out. Put his heart on the line,” said Williams about his teammate.”Pat was big, he was instrumental.”

For the Celtics, Tatum delivered 30 buckets, but there was no one to help him. Kemba added 13, shooting poorly from the field, 4 for 17. Marcus Smart had 15, hitting just one of his 11 three-point attempts. Brad Wanamaker ended the night with 14.

The Celtics are heading for Denver to meet the Nuggets who defeated Houston earlier today. Meanwhile the Clippers are hosting the Rockets.