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The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111–89 on February 22 at Crypto.com Arena, a decisive 22-point victory that fell well short of the Vegas total of 230.5 points. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 32 points while Payton Pritchard added 30, anchoring an efficient offensive performance in which the Celtics shot 48.2 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers. The Lakers, led by Luka Dončić's 25 points and LeBron James's 20, struggled significantly on offense, connecting on just 39.1 percent of their attempts and making only 9 threes. Boston's defensive dominance was evident in their 114.2 defensive rating compared to Los Angeles's 93.8 offensive rating, while the Celtics' 50 rebounds and 29 assists showcased their control of the glass and ball movement. The second quarter proved decisive, with Boston outscoring the Lakers 32–22 to establish command. Despite the Lakers' seven steals and strong per-quarter consistency early, they managed only 18 and 21 points in the third and fourth quarters respectively, signaling a complete collapse down the stretch. The loss further complicates Los Angeles's playoff positioning as Boston continues to assert itself among Eastern Conference contenders.