The Verdict Was Clear by the Third Quarter
Boston didn't just beat the Lakers tonight. They took them apart systematically, in the way only a team with real championship pedigree can — no unnecessary drama, no late runs, no nervous stretches where the Celtics almost let it slip away. They came in with a plan, executed it, and sent everyone home by the third quarter wondering if the Lakers are actually built for a deep playoff run [1].
Final score: 111-89. And if anything, that flatters Los Angeles a little.
Brown and Pritchard Made It a Problem Before Halftime
Jaylen Brown was the story. Thirty-two points, efficient as ever, hunting mismatches and finishing at the rim on the Lakers' switching defense like he'd scouted every single coverage Boston was going to get. The Lakers tried Anthony Davis, they tried LeBron, they tried throwing bodies at him — none of it worked. Brown is in the best shape of his career right now, and he's playing with the kind of focus that makes you forget about any of the noise surrounding him [1].

