RAJON RONDO HAUNTED his former team after nailing a dramatic buzzer-beating shot to see the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-128 win at the Boston Celtics.
Former Celtics guard Rondo made a last-gasp 20-foot jumper to lift the Lakers to victory in Boston and snap the Celtics’ five-game winning streak on Thursday.
Rondo, who began his career in Boston, finished with 17 points, shooting seven of 11 from the field and three of four from three-point range. He also chipped in 10 assists.
The Lakers were trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, but they rallied with 42 third-quarter points. The Celtics came back in the fourth quarter to go toe-to-toe with Los Angeles.
LeBron James helped the Lakers catch up to the Celtics in the final minute with an impressive save and ensuing three-pointer that tied the score at 124-apiece.
James finished with a triple-double, including a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
Los Angeles set a franchise record by knocking down 22 three-pointers in the win.
Kyrie Irving had a team-high 24 points for Boston in the losing effort. Jayson Tatum added 22 points and Daniel Theis had 20 points off the bench.
Thursday’s results
Indiana Pacers 116-92 Los Angeles Clippers
Orlando Magic 122-112 Minnesota Timberwolves
Toronto Raptors 119-101 Atlanta Hawks
Los Angeles Lakers 129-128 Boston Celtics
Oklahoma City Thunder 117-95 Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trail Blazers 127-118 San Antonio Spurs
Let’s hope he gets enough good ball to show what he can do. He definitely brings a creative spark that sometimes lacks from our play.
@Brian O’Driscoll: Given question marks over Sexton fitness we can’t have too much cover in this area. He should go.
Hope Carty has a great game and this team get back to winning ways
@Finnster1977: to be fair I think this game given the welsh team they’ve picked will create doubt either way unfortunately. Damned if you do well cos they were muck or damned if don’t cos it was like a training game with errors or zero patterns.
@Chicinho: Gatland is not treating this as a training game irrespective of unofficial agreement with Schmidt
Fair play to him! Sounds like he’s geared up for it! Im really lookin forward to watchin him the lads give it a lash today. Coybig ☘️
Hope he does great. Interesting that Friend gives him a license to play what’s in front of him.
He won’t have that in the Ireland 10 shirt. He has prospered with the Connacht approach.
Will be interesting to see how he copes with a very structured approach.
Marmion can win the number 9 shirt with a good performance today.
Murray is still not at the races and if he keeps getting picked whilst struggling our WC will be a disaster.
Coaches are going to finalise the WC squad after today’s match.
How does that effect someone like Conor Murray who isn’t playing today?
Has he done enough at Twickenham to get a seat on the plane?
Or was he going to travel anyway?
Interesting sub plots.
They could have just finalised the squad next week when more guys have had a chance to show some form.
@Oran Burns: Murray is going even if his form is dire as there is no viable backup bar Marmion. If Marmion has to play while Murray rediscovers his form then fine but Murray at his best is world class he just needs to remember his best, get to rucks quicker and get quicker ball away without taking those two steps which allows defensive lines to advance so quickly onto the Irish attacking line.
@Oran Burns: no they couldn’t, world rugby want the squad sunday
@Oran Burns:
“Friend gives him a license to play what’s in front of him”
You are talking about a PRO14 game, there is a little difference between that and WC rugby::.When Murray is on his game he is world class but Marmion at his best in not near that :: If he does a half decent job he is on the plane:: I said that last week whoever got picked against England got the hard card and did not have much of chance of Japan:: Marmion is on the plane::
Big day out for Carty, with Byrne failing to flatter last weekend a semi decent performance from Jack should see him on the plane.
I’d be expecting a big push back today from the team- performances both individually and collectively and a result is what’s needed to get things back on track and get a bit of confidence back into the group. Really looking forward to today’s game.
When was the last time a Welsh squad had no player called “Jones”?
@JoeO: Ha!! probably never.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK AND GOOD LUCK TO DAY
Scannell, Bierne , Carty and Conway have a great opportunity to book their place for Japan or even lay the foundation for a starting position against Scotland. Conan also of course. If he and Beirne have outstanding games today then I believe they should be involved next week again against stronger opposition for further scrutiny at the highest level.IMO they are too talented not to be starting.
@Tom Reilly:
The most interesting thing about this game regarding players is “Beirne ” How he will get on with the other B/R players and will they make a good unit ???
@Martin Quinn: Yeah good point Martin. It’s a pity VDF isn’t at 7 as the BR would look more balanced.
Really interesting to hear Ryan is vice captain.
Strange looking Welsh side. Still play what’s in front of you. I expect Gatland to crush us in one or other, maybe both matchs. Shouldn’t happen today even if it’s Cardiff. Oh and good luck Jack and COYBIG