The Clippers defeated the Celtics to win five in a row.

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Boston Celtics 115-96 on the road on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to five games thanks to a strong third quarter. The Clippers led by 16 points at the half and increased their lead to 33 points with a 21-0 run that ended with a free throw from Kawhi Leonard with 3:43 left in the third quarter, making the score 79-46. In the last minute of the quarter, the Clippers increased their lead to 36, and they were ahead 91–60 going into the fourth. Leonard scored 26 points to lead all scorers. Daniel Theis scored eighteen points for Los Angeles, Paul George scored seventeen, and Terance Mann scored fourteen. In their last 15 games, the Clippers have won 13 of them.

The Celtics made 36 of 100 field goals (36 percent) and 10 of 40 three-pointers (25 percent) from distance. Although Jayson Tatum led the team in scoring with 21 points and 11 rebounds, the other starters for Boston only managed 17 points apiece. After coming off the bench, Payton Pritchard scored twelve. After beginning the season with a 20-0 record at home, Boston have now lost two straight games at home. The team’s winning run of three games was also snapped. Due to a left ankle strain, Boston center Kristaps Porzingis was unable to participate. In the third quarter of Thursday’s triumph over Miami, he sustained an injury.

With 4:36 left in the first quarter, the Clippers went on an 11-0 run to overturn a 9-6 deficit and establish a 17-9 lead. Los Angeles led 26–21 going into the second quarter and never looked back. In the first 12 minutes, the Celtics shot 26.9 percent (7 of 26) and missed their first 10 3-point attempts. With 4:54 remaining in the first half, Los Angeles extended their lead to 15 points, 45-30, with an 18-6 run. The Clippers led 55–39 at the half.

This season, it was the clubs’ second meeting. On December 23, the Celtics triumphed 145-108 in Los Angeles.