NBA: Lakers continue to go downhill, Celtics bounce back

After narrowly defeating the Utah Jazz in their previous game, the Los Angeles Lakers fell again, this time on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves (109-80), in a game in which virtually no player on the Los Angeles roster was spared criticism.

The Lakers were behind on the scoreboard throughout the game, and much of the blame for this was placed on their dismal shooting from the perimeter. The players in purple and gold shot only 6-31 on 3-pointers.

LeBron James was once again disappointing. The Lakers star has been playing several games well below his level, including this last one against the Timberwolves: 10 points and 8 rebounds. Neither was Anthony Davis up to par, even though he went home with a double-double (12 points and 11 rebounds). The only saving grace was D'Angelo Russell's 20 points, being the top scorer of the duel.

On the other side of the court, Rudy Gobert stood out. The French center dominated the paint and posted a double-double (17 points and 12 rebounds). Four other players contributed 10 points or more, including 18 points from Julius Randle. Anthony Edwards went unnoticed.

Celtics dominate

Two losses and 10 wins. This is the record of the Boston Celtics in their last 12 games. After stumbling against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they bounced back to win by defeating the Miami Heat (108-89) at TD Garden.

Jaylen Brown was the star of the victory, scoring 29 points. Somewhat more subdued was Jayson Tatum, although he ended up posting a double-double (18 points and 11 rebounds). Payton Pritchard, the Celtics' sixth man, once again surpassed the 20-point barrier for the fourth consecutive game. This time he knocked down the Heat with 25 points.

On the visiting side, the highlights were Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s double-double (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Tyler Herro's 19 points.