An examination of the starting lineup prior to Thursday night’s matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, longtime rivals, would have assured an outright demolition.

For their highly anticipated matchup with the Celtics, the Lakers were without All-Stars LeBron James (left ankle) and Anthony Davis (Achilles, left hip), in addition to starter Cam Reddish (right ankle).

In addition to All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the starting lineup for Boston also included former All-Stars Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Furthermore, throughout the entire season, the Celtics had suffered a mere two losses in total games played on their home court.

The contest should be a rout in favor of Boston, right?

Totally incorrect!

The Lakers, led by a season-high 32 points from Austin Reaves, defeated the Celtics 114-105 to pull off their largest upset of the year.

“In the absence of those two players, victory over the Celtics requires a collective effort,” Reaves said of their loss in the absence of James and Davis. “You’re going to have to come together collectively and just grinԀ…this was an opportunity to show the world what you can do.”

In the middle of the first quarter, the Lakers established their initial advantage and did not turn back. The team maintained the lead with a game-high 16 points in the third quarter and accomplished this by shooting an impressive 53 percent from beyond the arc.

The Celtics suffered their third defeat of the season at TD Garden, and their third loss in their last eleven games.

The Lakers, who have labored with inconsistency throughout the entire season, were in Ԁire need of a victory to prevent a snowball effect of consecutive defeats to the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks.

“We could defeat any team in the NBA on any given night,” James said of the Lakers following their loss to the Hawks. “Moreover, we were vulnerable to having our аsses kicked by any NBA team on any given night.” Simply put, that is the way it is. Describe our record. We currently find ourselves at that location.

A career-high seven three-pointers were made by Reaves in the victory, and a season-high fourteen assists were dished out by point guard D’Angelo Russell.