LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brandon Boston Jr. had career highs of 27 points and five 3-pointers, sparking the Los Angeles Clippers to a 114-111 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in a matchup of teams barely above .500.

On a night when Paul George was sidelined with a bruised right elbow, Boston electrified his teammates and most of the crowd with a 3-pointer that beat the halftime buzzer. It capped 18 points in 14 minutes for the rookie out of Kentucky.

Marcus Morris added 20 points for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann had 10 points and 10 rebounds each.

The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Dennis Schröder added 19 points and eight assists, and Josh Richardson had 17 points off the bench.

The Clippers blew most of a 21-point lead in the third quarter, when the Celtics got within four.

Boston scored five points in a 13-4 run that opened the third and extended the Clippers’ lead to 76-55 — their biggest of the game.

The Celtics responded with a 20-4 spurt that drew them within four. Tatum scored nine points, drawing huge cheers from the green-clad fans in the crowd with a dunk off Eric Bledsoe’s turnover.

The Clippers led 87-78 going into the fourth. They pushed their lead to 15 after eight straight points capped by Morris' basket.

But the Celtics weren't done yet. They ran off 10 in a row to close to 102-97.

The final 3 1/2 minutes turned into a 3-point shootout.

Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard hit back-to-back 3s for the Clippers, restoring their lead to 11 points. Schröder and Richardson did the same for the Celtics, again putting them within five.

The Celtics successfully challenged an out-of-bounds call with 1:29 remaining that gave them possession. After Schröder missed, Tatum got the offensive rebound and tipped the ball in to get the Celtics to 108-105.

Morris then coolly sank a 3-pointer from the left corner.

The Clippers went 3 of 4 from the free throw line in the final 12 seconds to hold on after the Celtics closed within one. Tatum missed a potential tying 3 at the buzzer.

Boston hit the Clippers' first 3 of the second half, looking as amazed as anyone. A grinning Morris celebrated with him before making a 3 of his own.

Boston did some trash talking in the second quarter that drew a technical foul. In the third, he was called for a flagrant 1 foul after his right elbow struck Grant Williams in the face.

Boston finished 9 of 13 from the floor and made all four of his free throws.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Closed out a back-to-back in LA after losing to the Lakers by 15 points on Tuesday.

Clippers: Nicolas Batum returned to the starting lineup after entering the NBA’s health and safety protocol on Nov. 19. He was scoreless in 15 minutes. ... Justise Winslow saw his first action in a week, playing one minute.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday to conclude a five-game western trip.

Clippers: Host the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

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