Never let anyone tell you that the Lakers-Celtics rivalry doesn’t still run white hot. Exhibit A: Some 2½ hours before game time Thursday night, two buses carrying Boston players, coaches and support personnel turned into the L.

Also, after not losing a single game by double digits from the start of the season through the end of December, the Celtics have since suffered defeats of 13, 13, 17 and 21 points, all in their last 10 games. Those also were the only games this season in which Boston failed to score 100 points.

The Boston Celtics couldn't get the job done on the road Thursday night, and instead fell 117-96 to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston is now 7-5 in the month of January with the loss. Fatigue was certainly a factor for the Celtics,