Celtics defeat Lakers to become winningest NBA franchise
Spanning over a half-century with numerous legendary players and championships between them, the Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers is the NBA's greatest rivalry.
The two teams clashed Friday night in a game that, despite lacking the "classic rivalry" feel, carried some historical significance. With 3,252 regular-season victories apiece, one team would leave TD Garden with the most wins in NBA history.
Continuing his torrid run, Isaiah Thomas registered 38 points to lead the home team past L.A. 113-107. In typical Mr. Fourth Quarter fashion, the All-Star put up 17 in the final frame.
Total Wins - Franchise History
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 4, 2017
1) Celtics: 3,253
2) Lakers: 3,252 pic.twitter.com/nZfIiEYozH
And so, the rivalry continues with Boston coming out on top.
Here's a glimpse of the all-time matchup:
| Team | Seasons | Record | Win% | Playoff Appearances | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics | 71 | 3253-2275 | .588 | 53 | 17 |
| Lakers | 69 | 3252-2170 | .600 | 60 | 16 |
The Celtics rank second in the Eastern Conference, with head coach Brad Stevens earning the opportunity to coach the East All-Stars in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Lakers are mired in their fourth straight losing season - the first without Kobe Bryant, who retired after 2015-16.