Beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day was the best present any Boston Celtics fan could ask for. Regardless of where each team is in their contention cycle, games between them always take on additional importance.
The fact that both teams are aiming to be in the NBA Finals gave the game a little bit extra spice, as both sides were using each other as a barometer for where they need to improve. The fact the Celtics beat another contending team shouldn’t be lost on any of us. That they did it with a swagger and commitment to moving the rock is also encouraging.