They took down the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers who had won eight straight games prior to meeting on Saturday night. It was a clash of two teams who have title aspirations this year. The Celtics think that they are good enough to be the first team in almost a decade to repeat as champions.

ESPN's coverage of Boston vs. Los Angeles on March 8 averaged the most viewers for a regular-season NBA game since 2018 (excluding Christmas).

Lakers games continue to attract huge television ratings for the NBA, a league that has been struggling with low ratings and bad publicity.

Jayson Tatum had 40 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, and the Boston Celtics held off a late rally to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-101.

Though Luka Dončić’s fourth-quarter explosion showed he is capable of keeping the Lakers in big games, LeBron James’ fourth-quarter groin injury will loom large after this loss, which snapped Los Angeles’ eight-game win streak. With 6:44 left in the game, James called for a timeout and eventually headed to the locker room with a left groin strain.