The Boston Celtics got a much-needed win at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. After a rough start to the season, Ime Udoka's squad seems to be righting the ship.  The 130-108 victory over LeBron James and Co. is certainly another step in the right direction.

Having now won six of their previous nine contests, the Celtics are clawing back into contention in the Eastern Conference. Star forward Jayson Tatum discussed the team's resilience of late, and how they managed to overcome the “growing pains” that came with the shift from playing under former head coach Brad Stevens to Udoka.

“As tough and as frustrating as it can be sometimes, I think it can help you in the long run going through these bumps and things like that,” said Tatum after the win, via MassLive. “It brings you more together and closer. Hopefully we can keep playing like we played tonight, and how we’ve played recently and just continue to play like that.”

Udoka took over for Stevens at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season. After struggling to a 2-5 record at the beginning of the year, things have begun to shape up in Boston. The Celtics are now 8-8 on the year and are in ninth in the East. The statement win over the Lakers, with Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams sidelined, will go a long way towards boosting the team's confidence.

Tatum contributed a game-high 37 points, alongside 11 rebounds and two assists in the win. Despite finding themselves down as many as 14 points in the first half, the Celtics rallied and dominated the second half en-route to the 22-point win. Fans in Boston will be hopeful this recent run of form can carry over and end the inconsistent woes that have plagued the team early on this year.