Lakers Extend Winning Streak to Seven with Dominant Victory Over Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games with a commanding 118-102 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The victory marks another statement win for the Lakers as they continue to climb the Western Conference standings in what has been a remarkable February turnaround.

Anthony Davis led the charge with 34 points and 12 rebounds, dominating both ends of the court in what many are calling his best performance of the season. LeBron James added 28 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 42nd birthday next month. The veteran duo chemistry has been particularly evident during this winning streak, with both players finding their rhythm at the perfect time.

The Lakers controlled the game from the opening tip, jumping out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Their defense, which has been the catalyst for this recent success, held the Celtics to just 39% shooting from the field and forced 18 turnovers that led to 24 points. The Lakers defensive intensity has been a revelation, as they have allowed just 104.2 points per game during their seven-game winning streak.

For Boston, Jayson Tatum struggled against the Lakers defense, finishing with just 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Jaylen Brown provided 24 points off the bench, but it was not enough to prevent the Celtics from dropping their third game in their last five outings. The loss puts additional pressure on Boston as they try to maintain their position atop the Eastern Conference.

The Lakers bench also made significant contributions, with Austin Reaves scoring 16 points and Rui Hachimura adding 14 points with efficient shooting. Head coach Darvin Ham praised his team collective effort and noted how the improved depth has been crucial during this winning streak. The team offensive flow has been seamless, averaging 121.4 points per game during their current run.

With this victory, the Lakers move to within 2.5 games of the sixth seed in the Western Conference, positioning themselves for a potential playoff push. The team transformation over the past month has been remarkable, and with Davis and James playing at such a high level, the Lakers are beginning to look like the championship contender many expected them to be at the start of the season.