Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics: Live Score, Results and Game Highlights

The Boston Celtics improved 26-23 on the season with a 116-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Lakers fall to 23-27 with the loss.

With the win, the Celtics have now won six games in a row, and they have some phenomenal defense and hot shooting to thank for their most recent victory.

A third quarter that saw the Celtics outscore the Lakers 37-25 ultimately netted the Celtics a monster advantage, and they never looked back.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points, while Kevin Garnett scrapped and clawed his way to 15 points, five rebounds and four assists despite picking up two fouls within the first three minutes of action.

As for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 27 points (9-of-15 shooting), but totaled zero assists on a night when his teammates simply couldn't find the bottom of the net.

As a team, the Lakers shot 41.4 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from three-point range. Antawn Jamison (11 points) and Jodie Meeks (13 points) were the only other Lakers to score in double-figures.

Dwight Howard had a poor showing in his return from a shoulder injury, scoring just nine points and grabbing nine rebounds in 28 minutes of work.

Howard was constantly beaten on the glass by an energetic group of Celtics, and looked lethargic as he lumbered up and down the floor.

Next up for a desperate Laker squad is a meeting with the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday evening.

Keep it locked on Bleacher Report as we provide you with postgame coverage of Lakers-Celtics.