Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

The Boston Celtics delivered a statement win against the Los Angeles Lakers, proving once again why they are one of the NBA’s top teams this season. In a high-energy clash, the Celtics controlled the game from start to finish, outplaying their historic rivals with elite defense, sharp shooting, and dominant performances from their stars. πͺπ
From the opening tip, the Celtics established their dominance, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on fast breaks. The Lakers struggled to find rhythm, as Boston’s defensive intensity created problems for their offense.
✅ Celtics shot 55% from the field π―π₯
✅ Lakers committed 6 early turnovers ❌π
✅ Jayson Tatum scored 12 points in Q1 πͺπ
With Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge, the Celtics quickly built a double-digit lead.
The Celtics’ star duo of Tatum and Brown once again proved why they are among the NBA’s elite. Their scoring efficiency and defensive impact kept the Lakers on their heels all night.
π Jayson Tatum: 34 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists π₯πͺ
π Jaylen Brown: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals π―π
Their ability to hit clutch shots and control the tempo made it nearly impossible for the Lakers to mount a comeback.
The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, tried to rally back, but turnovers and poor shooting hurt their momentum.
❌ 3-point shooting woes (only 29% from deep) π―π
❌ Turnovers (17 total, leading to 23 Celtics points) π⚡
❌ Lack of bench production (only 18 points scored) ππ
While LeBron (27 points) and AD (22 points, 10 rebounds) played well, the supporting cast failed to step up.
One of the biggest takeaways from the game was Boston’s elite defense. The Celtics' aggressive perimeter defense limited the Lakers’ ability to get quality shots.
✅ Blocked 6 shots & forced 17 turnovers ⛔π₯
✅ Held Lakers to 42% shooting from the field ❌π―
✅ Locked down LeBron & AD in key moments ππ
The Celtics’ defensive energy fueled their transition game, leading to easy fast-break points.
Unlike the Lakers’ struggling bench, the Celtics’ second unit provided a major boost. Players like Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon made key plays.
π₯ Derrick White: 15 points, 4 assists, 3 steals π―πͺ
π₯ Malcolm Brogdon: 12 points, 6 rebounds ππ₯
π₯ Payton Pritchard: Energy & hustle plays ππ€
Their depth gave Boston the edge and helped sustain the lead throughout the game.
✅ Cemented their status as a title contender ππ―
✅ Proved they can dominate elite teams πͺπ
✅ Tatum & Brown continue to lead at an MVP level ππ₯
Boston is peaking at the right time, making them a serious threat in the East.
❌ Still inconsistent against top teams π❌
❌ Need more help from role players π⚡
❌ Playoff positioning remains uncertain ⏳π
The Lakers must improve their shooting and depth if they want to compete for a deep playoff run.
With this huge victory over the Lakers, the Boston Celtics have once again solidified their position as one of the NBA’s elite teams. Their balanced offense, lockdown defense, and star power make them a serious title contender.
✅ Tatum & Brown are in MVP-caliber form ππ₯
✅ Their defense ranks among the best in the league ππͺ
✅ The bench is providing key contributions ⚡π―
✅ Team chemistry is at an all-time high π€π
If they continue this momentum, Boston could be on its way to another NBA championship! ππ₯
This loss exposed major flaws in the Lakers’ roster. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to dominate, the lack of depth and inconsistent shooting are real concerns.
πΉ Improve 3-point shooting (29% won’t cut it) π―π
πΉ Limit turnovers & improve ball movement π⚡
πΉ Get more from role players & bench production ππͺ
πΉ Find a defensive identity against elite teams ππ«
If they fail to address these issues, their playoff hopes could be in serious danger. ⏳π
π Face another top Eastern Conference team to prove consistency πͺπ₯
π Maintain their elite defense & shooting efficiency π―π
π Stay healthy as they push for the No. 1 seed ππ
π Need a bounce-back win to regain confidence π⚡
π Possible roster adjustments before trade deadline? ππ
π LeBron & AD must continue to lead by example πͺπ₯
The NBA season is far from over, but this game proved that the Celtics are a real championship threat, while the Lakers still have a lot of work to do.
π₯ Who do you think will go further this season? Celtics or Lakers? Drop your thoughts! ππ
π Final Score: Celtics 118 - Lakers 103 π
πΉ Boston controlled the game from start to finish ππ₯
πΉ Tatum & Brown combined for 62 points πͺπ―
πΉ Lakers' struggles with turnovers & shooting hurt them π❌
πΉ Celtics' defense was the key to their victory π«π
This win sends a strong message to the rest of the NBA: The Celtics are ready for championship contention! ππ₯