6.16.2020

IT Tossed in Celtic Debut

February 25, 2015

LOS ANGELES - He's been called everything from fearless to combative, and in his Celtics debut, Isaiah Thomas added something even a little more incendiary to the list. The point guard was ejected in the fourth quarter of the C's 118-111 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last night.



Thomas ran afoul of referee Tony Brothers for slamming the ball on the floor following an offensive foul call, then drew a quick second whistle after he rolled the ball in Brothers' direction. According to Celtics coach Brad Stevens, Thomas "held himself accountable" while talking to his teammates after the game. Thomas also left without talking to the media.

But for all of Thomas' gifts - most on display last night - his new coach made it clear that the one thing the team needed most wasn't on display. "He did a lot of good things, but he's got to be out there at the end," Stevens said. Thomas' new teammates eventually came back to earn extra time thanks to a late offensive push from Avery Bradley (20 points) and Jae Crowder (22).

The C's were punctured by a pair of familiar faces. Jeremy Lin, considered a disgruntled reserve, erupted with a 25-point throwback game. Wesley Johnson, once one of the most promising young shooters in the league, erupted for a 22-point, 8-for-10 performance against decidedly weak coverage. Toss in 19 points from fellow reserve Nick Young, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers bench outscored the starters, 84-34.

Bradley and Crowder were able to rescue this one in regulation by combining for 14 points in the last 2:16, including Bradley's second of two 3-pointers in that span at the buzzer to tie the game at 106-106. The Lakers had led, 103-94, with 1:28 left.

But the Celtics were far too deficient defensively. The Lakers shot 51.2 percent, including a combined 24-for-35 from Lin, Johnson and Young. "We didn't run out of gas late in the game - we just weren't able to get stops," Bradley said. "I still feel we did a good job of fighting back. We're still learning from these games. I know you've heard that all year. We just fell short this time."

The Celtics were hit hard at the start of overtime as Lin, Carlos Boozer and Johnson - the latter with a smooth baseline jumper - gave the Lakers a quick 112-106 lead. Just as they struggled for offense during significant parts of the second half, the Celtics went scoreless for the first 3:41 of overtime, until Crowder raced down to convert a three-point play off the break. But Boozer answered with a layup for a 114-109 Lakers lead with 1:19 left. Evan Turner scored off a Bradley miss, but Lin went off the dribble to bury a 15-footer.

The next time down Turner finished off a three-shot possession by rolling out a miss, essentially ending the night. Johnson, who scored 12 points over the first three quarters, started to turn the game in the fourth, starting with a 3-pointer. The C's fell into matching points, but lost the lead for the first time in the second half when, with 8:15 to play, Johnson hit from downtown again for an 86-84 Lakers lead.

The Celtics had run into a rough patch offensively, including a pair of offensive fouls by Smart - the second apparently for something the rookie has become known for, a Reggie Miller-style kick when covered while attempting a jumper. The Celtics were into their third minute without a point when Lin hit from 20 feet for an 88-84 LA lead with 5:51 left. Thomas answered with a 3, was matched by Young and lost his mind.

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