Paul Pierce had 33 points to lead the way for Boston, which also got 22 points and 12 rebounds from Kevin Garnett. Ray Allen added 19 points.
"[Going 4-0] was our goal," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "We rarely talk about more than one game [at a time]. But before we left, I said, 'Guys, let's try and go 4-0.' I think every coach says that. But this is great."
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant scored 22 points but went just 6 of 25 from the floor and was 0 for 6 on 3-pointers. And the game was more than a bit chippy, as seven technical fouls were called.
Three came on a late play on which LA's Lamar Odom executed what seemed like a rolling body block on Ray Allen. Odom was called for a flagrant foul on the play, Allen drawing a technical.
Jackson, of course, coached Michael Jordan and the Bulls to an NBA-record 72-win season during the 1995-96 season. So, Phil, do the Celtics have 72-win potential?
"I don't want to guess that," Jackson said before the game. "That is so difficult. Their conference, Detroit's tough in their conference. They don't have a tremendously competitive conference to play in out there, but still and all, it's the NBA, and teams wear down, they have injuries.
"It's just too hard to say that at this point. This is one-third of the season. When we're in March, maybe we can talk about it."
The Celtics had a major injury to deal with, as starting point guard Rajon Rondo was out with a right hamstring injury. With Rondo out, the Celtics started Tony Allen for the third time this season.
Remember all those big-time battles between the Lakers and Celtics? Last night's game had that kind of feel.
Two hours before the game, Lakers and Celtics fans stood in long lines eager to get in. The celebrity list was long, as usual. On Throwback Night, the Lakers wore short shorts, while the cheerleaders wore the old Paula Abdul outfits. A video display during introductions showed highlights of the rivalry, too.
