The Celtics were fully prepared to face the new-look Lakers featuring Luka Doncic as they held on for a 111-101 win. In order for his club to prevail without Kristaps Porzingis, he played Jayson Tatum a season-high 45 minutes and used Jaylen Brown for 42.

He trusted 38-year-old Al Horford for 37-plus.

This was more than just game No. 64 of 82. The Celtics definitely wanted to beat the Lakers for several reasons, most importantly to avenge their January thumping at Crypto.com Arena.

This seven-game homestand has been filled with landmines. The opener of the stretch against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sunday afternoon clash against the Denver Nuggets, the tricky mid-week game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and Saturday against their arch rival, an emerging Western Conference contender.

Any game in Boston with LeBron James as the opponent is extraordinary. What was once a hornet’s nest for James, where he constantly was pelted with jeers while other fans donned profane T-shirts that included his name, has become another arena where he is shown respect and adulation.

Even fans in Celtics jerseys took in James’ pregame shooting session and cheered vigorously when he walked back to the locker room. The recognition of his greatness has increased, the hate and disdain subsided, but the desire to beat the Lakers has never been higher.

The Celtics wanted this one badly. They played one of their better defensive games of the season, especially when they stifled the Lakers in the game-deciding third quarter. Similar to last June’s NBA Finals, Brown defended Doncic like Darrelle Revis in his prime, causing havoc for the burly guard and helping force three first-half turnovers.

The focus was there from the opening tip. The Celtics eliminated their lackadaisical stretches and played with a fortitude usually reserved for the playoffs.

“It felt like a playoff-type intensity obviously,” Brown said. “The history between the Lakers and Celtics is prevalent. Tonight I felt like both sides brought it from the jump. They started out of the gate hitting shots. We matched them, hit some shots. They closed it back late. We were able to create some more separation, but it was a great energy game. Today was not one of those regular season, normal games where it’s whatever. Tonight was a good day for basketball.”

Brown knew Mazzulla wanted this game. He knew Mazzulla would treat Saturday differently, especially considering the rivalry and atmosphere. He also knows Mazzulla will tell others with a straight face that all games carry the same meaning.

“Yeah for sure, Joe, that’s his job to say that,” Brown said. “Today was definitely [different]. Celtics-Lakers. Two big-time teams. We wanted to win tonight. We did what it took to win for sure.”

Tatum said he knew before the game it was going to be one of those “40-plus minute” nights considering the situation. The situation was Mazzulla wanted to continue the Celtics’ ascension toward the playoffs, and their sparkling play against other quality teams.

The Cleveland loss was regrettable, but the Celtics were missing two starters. And Boston has picked up three games on the third-seeded New York Knicks in the past four days, putting it 5½ up with 18 to play. The Celtics have done good work on this homestand.

“I’ve been around Joe long enough to know where his mind is at for certain games,” Tatum said. “It’s regular season and it counts as one, but it’s special to be part of this rivalry with the guys that we have on both sides. You want to be part of moments like this as a basketball fan, I’m certain they enjoyed it. It was just two really good teams going at it at both ends of the floor.”

What isn’t lost on Tatum, a basketball historian, is being part of this rivalry and sharing the floor with James, who at times looked like a 40-year-old playing amongst 20-somethings and left the game midway through the fourth quarter with a groin strain. He finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in 35 minutes.

Doncic got off to a slow start, but turned into All-NBA Luka in the second half, scoring 23 of his 34 points. Tatum and Brown staved off a Lakers’ run that cut the deficit from 21 to 4 with a series of key baskets. Tatum played the entire second half, while Brown sat out just 2:54.

“We’re always in constant communication with each other,” Tatum said of Mazzulla and his workload. “I’m probably not going to play every game for the rest of the season, but kind of building up your stamina going into the playoffs knowing that certain nights, you might play 45 [minutes].

“Like I said, the NBA is a better place when the Celtics and Lakers are two of the best teams. Primetime game, Saturday night. It was fun. As a fan, as a competitor, it was one of those games you want to be a part of.”

But as Mazzulla would have us think, it’s simply, “On to Utah.”

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.