The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed on Martin Luther King Jr. day by the Boston Celtics. The purple and gold were throttled by their East Coast rivals, losing the game 139-107. It was the most points that the Lakers have allowed all season and one of the biggest defeats they have suffered as well.
A big reason for the defeat was their performance on the defensive end. The Lakers put little pressure on the Celtics, who controlled the game after Los Angeles got out to a quick 8-0 start. After that, it was all Boston.
The Lakers needed a bounce-back game in the worst way.