The Lakers’ Russell Westbrook drives to the basket against the Celtics’ Aaron Nesmith during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis drives to the basket against Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots a free throw against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James and the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum battle for position during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Malik Monk controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis shoots against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots over Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots over Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka looks on against the Lakers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, third from right, and his coaching staff watch during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James waits to check back in against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reacts after scoring against the Lakers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel watches the action during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis drives to the basket as the Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams III defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis takes a shot as the Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams III defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James reacts toward referee Scott Foster during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Lakers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel reacts during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony shoots a 3-pointer over Romeo Langford of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Avery Bradley shoots a 3-pointer over the Boston Celtics’ Dennis Schroder during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Players on the Laker bench celebrates after teammate Avery Bradley (20) makes a 3-pointer against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart scrambles for a loose ball in front of the Lakers’ LeBron James during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart reacts against the Lakers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker drives to the basket against Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reacts after a 3-pointer against the Lakers during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel reacts during the first half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James controls the ball against Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James controls the ball as the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Josh Richardson loses the ball against the Lakers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drives to the basket between the Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony, left, and Wayne Ellington during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drives to the basket between the Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony, left, and Wayne Ellington during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel reacts during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum drives to the basket past the Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Frank Vogel yells instructions to his players during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James controls the ball as the Boston Celtics’ Al Horford, right, and Jayson Tatum defend during the second on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James passes the ball as the Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart, right, and Jayson Tatum defend during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James looks on during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum shoots against the Lakers during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James controls the ball against the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James gives a thumbs up after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ LeBron James high-fives teammate Russell Westbrook after coming out of the game as Coach Frank Vogel looks toward the scoreboard during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Rajon Rondo, left, Anthony Davis, center, and LeBron James look on during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Russell Westbrook drives to the basket against the Celtics’ Aaron Nesmith during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Boston Celtics during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Boston Celtics during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LeBron James and others on the Lakers’ bench react to a foul call during the second half of their game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Boston Celtics during the second half on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Laker Girls perform during a game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actors Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck during a timeout in the first half of a game between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Laker Girls perform during a game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots over Boston Celtics center Al Horford during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dribbles the ball past Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum goes up for a dunk during the first half of Tuesday’s game against the Lakers at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dunks during the first half of Tuesday’s game against the Lakers at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Malik Monk soars in for a breakaway dunk against the Celtics during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis blocks a shot from Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schröder is defended by Lakers center Dwight Howard during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Avery Bradley gestures after making a 3-point shot against the Celtics during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, shoots over Lakers guard Russell Westbrook during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schröder is defended by Lakers guard Malik Monk, right, and forward Carmelo Anthony during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, drives between Boston Celtics guards Dennis Schröder, left, and Marcus Smart during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives to the basket while Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives past Boston Celtics center Al Horford, center, during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard works for a rebound against Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James prepares to dunk against the Celtics during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James dunks against the Celtics during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James gestures after dunking during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, center, is defended by Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and guard Talen Horton-Tucker during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Malik Monk goes up for a dunk against the Celtics during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Malik Monk, right, celebrates his basket against the Celtics with guard Russell Westbrook during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder is defended by Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony grabs a rebound against the Celtics during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives to the basket past Lakers forward LeBron James during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook shoots over Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder dribbles as the Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker defends during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Avery Bradley grabs a rebound against the Boston Celtics during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dribbles next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum follows through as he makes a 3-pointer against the Lakers during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis reacts to a foul call during the second half of Tuesday’s game against the Celtics at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker dribbles next to Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart during the first half of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES — Try to go step-for-step with Russell Westbrook? You’d just as soon race a bolt of lightning.
The moment Westbrook turned the corner, Josh Richardson was in trouble – Anthony Davis hadn’t even really screened him as much as given him one touch, but that was more than enough. The 33-year-old guard went supersonic, dunking with fury as Richardson could only leap in helpless pursuit.
It was quite a moment in this historic rivalry, with native L.A. son Westbrook (24 points, 11 assists) finally getting his chance to dispatch the Boston Celtics (13-12) while donning the purple and gold. Westbrook’s energy, as it has been for the last few weeks, was the difference on Tuesday night as the Lakers (13-12) took charge in the second half for a 117-102 victory.
The season has been an up-and-down odyssey for Westbrook as much as his team, but he’s strung more of his strong moments together as the season has progressed. His 15 points in the third quarter – shooting 6 for 8 while blitzing the paint – helped the Lakers swing an 11-point advantage in the period to take control of the game. In the last seven games, Westbrook has averaged 10 points per third quarter, by far the best mark of the Lakers.
And Westbrook clearly enjoyed himself, mean-mugging, rocking the baby and – immediately after his dunk on Richardson – screaming for the sellout Staples Center crowd to raise their voices.
“That’s who I am. That’s what I bring to the table,” he said. “That’s what my teammates need from me. I want to be able to share my energy and my spirit with the rest of the fans, the rest of the world and have fun while doing it.”
After so many stumbles to start the season, the win was a glimpse of the team the Lakers have frequently proclaimed they can be, yet have so rarely shown thus far. It was just their fourth double-digit win of the season, and undisputedly the best of the bunch.
LeBron James led the way with 30 points, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone. Celtics coach Ime Udoka had said pregame that his team was at its best by forcing the Lakers to score in the halfcourt, but that seemingly didn’t account for James being rested after three days between games, able to step into the lane with freight train power and a figure skater’s finesse.
After a 9-for-23 game against the Clippers in which James admitted that he wasn’t as prepared after a brief detention in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, it was back to basics for the 36-year-old star, bullying a franchise he’s long cast a shadow over in his career. His layup in the fourth quarter, followed in short order by a Malik Monk dunk, signaled that the rout was sealed.
“I’m proud of this team today,” James said. “I’m proud of how we just came with our mindset, had our hardhats on from the beginning. And played a heck of a game from start to finish.”
The Lakers started small, opting to put Davis at center and reinserting guard Avery Bradley into the group. It was the same starting lineup that was blown out in Boston last month, but this time it yielded better results: The Lakers held the Celtics below 44% shooting and wound up making 12 more field goals than their visitors.
Davis helped the Lakers wrestle a 17-rebound advantage on the glass, finishing with a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double. While Robert Williams (13 points) seemed intent on dunking on Davis whenever he entered the paint, the Boston center didn’t fare as well on the other end of the court, where the Lakers outscored the Celtics 66-42 in the paint.
It wasn’t the start Davis wanted, however. He took just five shots before halftime, and while the Lakers were up by five points at the break, Davis had scored just seven points and coughed up three turnovers. Teammates told him to shake it off, so Davis focused on his rebounding and defense.
“That really what it was, just coming out and just trying to do the intangibles,” he said. “Rebounding. Talking on the defensive end. Setting screens. Just trying to get guys open and let that play into my offense.”
No one got off to a better start than Tatum, who started 5 for 5 and scored the Celtics’ first 14 points. The 23-year-old continued his penchant for big games in L.A., taking on any defender in one-on-one possessions as the Lakers initially struggled for answers. Eventually, Westbrook caught an eye for the matchup, hounding the Celtic wing on any possession he could.
The growth the Lakers had on defense, Coach Frank Vogel said, reflected the team’s will to double-team less while communicating more.
“If our help is in place and early and talking, you give the guy on the ball confidence to pressure up,” he said. “I thought we had a lot of good sequences with Russell, with Talen (Horton-Tucker), with Avery, where those guys were gaining confidence because of the help behind them.”
The Lakers play five of their next six games on the road, beginning with a back-to-back in Memphis and Oklahoma City on Thursday and Friday.
Westbrook didn’t go so far as to say the Lakers’ early turbulence is behind them. But he did seem upbeat about the upcoming stretch.
“I don’t know the blueprint; all I know is that we won,” he said. “So, if that’s the blueprint, then hell yeah, winning is the blueprint.”
Our 3rd quarters have been great, to be honest. Where we struggled early in the year, we held this team to 20 points… Once we lock in defensively and do what we did tonight, we're a tough team to beat." @AntDavis23 & @KingJames on tonight's #LakeShow win. pic.twitter.com/gEVSkQ7B3B
"Very proud of the defensive performance tonight." Frank Vogel with a few takeaways from tonight's dominant win over Boston. pic.twitter.com/gJS6uUXYhq
