The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-110, at TD Garden on Thursday night.

The Celtics (26-10) came into the contest looking to prove their mettle against a surging Clippers (21-16) team, and after a highly competitive first quarter that saw them forge just a narrow one-point lead, Boston extended its advantage to 11 ahead of intermission. Nevertheless, Los Angeles erased its deficit altogether in the third quarter to take its own one-point edge into the final period, but a pair of Robert Williams free throws with just under 10 minutes remaining gave the hosts back a lead they wouldn't relinquish, although the visitors would get within three on multiple occasions late.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Paul George supplied 24 points, six assists, four boards and two steals. Norman Powell turned in 19 points, four boards, two assists and one block. Ivica Zubac generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Marcus Morris registered 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 29 points apiece while 11 and seven rebounds, respectively. Marcus Smart delivered 17 points, nine assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Derrick White managed 12 points, six boards, one assist, one steal and one block.

The Clippers remain on the road and visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday afternoon, while the Celtics visit the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night .