Lakers prevail as Rondo hits game-winner vs ex-team Celtics

MANILA, Philippines – Rajon Rondo came through against former team Boston Celtics with the game-winning bucket in Los Angeles Lakers’ 129-128 win on Thursday, February 7 (Friday, February 8, Philippine time). 

The nifty playmaker capped off a 17-point, 10-assist, and 7-rebound outing with a jumper from free throw distance right at the buzzer as the Lakers bounced back from a 42-point drubbing from the Indiana Pacers. 

Brandon Ingram’s potential go-ahead shot for Los Angeles was denied by Al Horford at the rim before Rondo picked up the loose ball and put up a shot just in the nick of time to the dismay of Boston fans at the TD Garden. 

Rajon Rondo buries the #TissotBuzzerBeater to win it for the @Lakers in Boston! #ThisIsYourTime #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/SuGZSzrZGE

— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2019

LeBron James recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 steals and also came up clutch, draining a three-pointer that knotted the score at 124-all. 

Kyle Kuzma, who finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds, then gave the Lakers a 127-126 lead behind a 25-foot three-point with 19 seconds remaining. 

Not to be outdone, Kyrie Irving snatched back the lead for the Celtics, 128-127, only to witness Rondo break their hearts. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Javale McGee each had 17 points while Lance Stephenson and Brandon Ingram added 14 and 11 markers, respectively, as the Lakers improved to 28-27 for 10th place in the Western Conference. 

Irving finished with 24 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 assists for the Celtics, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped to fall to 35-20 for 4th place in the East. – Rappler.com