Jones Runs Lakers Past Celtics, 102-91 : Pro basketball: His 19 points, team’s defense keep L.A. on the upswing.

No more pro basketball in Boston Garden, no more heated passion toward the Boston Celtics. What’s a legendary rivalry to do?

Tuesday night, the Lakers treated what was once The Opponent like any other team of late. They not only out-lasted the Celtics, 102-91, before 14,324 at the Forum to improve to 16-13 and climb three games over .500 for the first time this season, but they shut down another offense.

Just like last Friday against the Sacramento Kings, who labored to 38.1% and 83 points.

Just like Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers, they of 40.4% and 99 points.

The Celtics? They came in tied for No. 7 in the league in shooting at 47.7%, then went 41.4%.

The impressive stretch of defense is more than coincidence for the Lakers. Call it the hard sell on defense while shoppers all around are looking for bargains.

“We were just giving up too many easy baskets,” Coach Del Harris said. “Since then, we’ve kind of reemphasized the rebounding to give more protection against the fast breaks. We’re not getting as many offensive rebounds, but we’re not giving up as many easy baskets.

“I’ll take back all the offensive rebounds we get, about eight or 10 a game, if you tell me we’re not going to give up any fast breaks. We were giving up 30-40 points on fast breaks.”

Tuesday: 16 fast-break points for the Celtics--but only two in the decisive fourth quarter.

“We’re playing team defense,” said Eddie Jones, who tied his career high with six steals and also had a team-high 19 points to lead six Lakers in double figures. “Any time a guy drives, we can count on a big man being there.”

Said one of those, Vlade Divac: “Maybe we’re just playing more aggressive than the first part of the season. The most important thing is that we’re covering for each other on defense. We’re switching. We’re playing team defense.”

Any uncertainty as to how the Lakers would start after their first two-game layoff of the season without so much as a practice were quickly answered--they pulled away for a seven-point advantage after only 4:39 and shot 50% in the first quarter to take a 31-25 lead.

That became a 55-48 cushion by halftime, with three Laker starters already in double figures. Among the other two, Divac had six rebounds and five assists and Nick Van Exel had six assists.

The Celtics had cut the Laker lead to a point in the third quarter and were still within two at 86-84 with 4:40 left in the game. Even when Alton Lister missed a pair of free throws, they still could have tied after Greg Minor secured the offensive rebound, but Divac blocked his two-footer.

Fouled by Lister on the ensuing possession, Divac made one from the line for a three-point edge. Another chance for Boston became another lost chance, this time when Dee Brown’s slam dunk flew high off the rim.

It went on like that, the Celtics staying close but the Lakers staying ahead. At 91-87, that all changed.

Dana Barros missed a runner along the baseline, and teammate Rick Fox was called for a loose-ball foul.

Dino Radja traveled.

Barros drove to the basket, then got caught in the air as he headed over the baseline. With no one to pass to, he heaved the ball out front, where Jones scooped it up. A fastbreak later, Jones threw down a dunk.

Suddenly, it was 96-87, with 1:01 remaining.

“I think we played the last few minutes really well,” Harris said. “I thought that was the most encouraging thing, how we got tough-minded down the stretch.”