BOSTON — The NBA Playoffs aren't until April, yet Saturday night's primetime showdown between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers had an undeniable playoff atmosphere. Celtics star Jaylen Brown felt it and fed off the energy of the TD Garden faithful to help Boston secure a 111-101 victory.

Behind the NBA's hottest new duo, LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers entered Saturday night's showdown with the Boston Celtics on an eight-game winning streak that had vaulted them up the Western Conference standings and firmly into the championship conversation.

By now, it is safe to say that there is a very real chance the league's oldest and fiercest rivalry could spring back to life if the two old enemies on the hardwood find themselves back on the league's biggest stage competing for the claim to most titles won in Association history.