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Monday was Martin Luther King Jr Day and what a better way to start the night off with a classic rivalry renewed. The Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers! Both teams have a combined total of twenty-three NBA Championships, the Celtics with seventeen and the Lakers with sixteen. Over the years there have been so many legendary player rivalries, Bill Russell versus Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson, Paul Pierce versus Kobe Bryant and now Jayson Tatum versus LeBron James.
Tatum and Lebron have been going at it for the past three years, including a historic Eastern Conference Finals matchup which LeBron ended up taking four to three. LeBron currently has a seven and five record versus Tatum but every game had been a game to watch for, until Monday night.
The Celtics beat the Lakers Monday night, 139-107. Tatum ended up with twenty-seven points in the game versus LeBron’s fifteen points. Tatum has been sensational this year after having a “sophomore slump” last year. Tatum is currently averaging 21.5 points per game and about seven rebounds per game. Last year he averaged about six points less compared to this year and only a two rebound difference. Certainly, this rivalry has just kicked off but could be another huge player versus player rivalry in the Lakers versus Celtics matchup. After the win, the Celtics moved to 28-14 on the season ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference and dropped the Lakers to 34-9 but holding them at the number one team in the Western Conference. The Lakers and Celtics face yet again on February 23rd, only this time it will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Lakers will be ready for round two versus the Celtics after their blowout loss Monday night. Be prepared Boston, this Lakers team is no joke but make sure you save the date on the Calendar because the rematch will be a game you don't want to miss. Just look out for Jayson Tatum and LeBron James going at it once again! Let's welcome the Celtics versus Lakers rivalry back to the NBA once again!