The Celtics and Lakers are the flagship franchises of the NBA. They share a pedigree and a rivalry that is unmatched in the annals of the league. That’s all they have in common right now.

The teams were polar opposites on the parquet Thursday night at TD Garden in a game that was one in name only and wholly unworthy of this rivalry. The Celtics, who administered the basketball version of blunt trauma to the Lakers with a 116-95 beatdown, are rising to the occasion without point guard Rajon Rondo. They’re now winners of six straight. Proud. Strong. Defiant.