The Los Angeles Lakers are a better team, but they are not the better team. Not yet.

Let’s not get carried away with one game.

This was the game that Kobe and the Lakers had been waiting for since June. Retribution. All sort of incentive. A chance to show the world that they weren’t as soft as everyone remembers the last time they were in the spotlight.

For the Celtics, there was plenty of motivation as well – including running the winning streak to 20 - but they already know they can beat the Lakers.

Been there, done it – with everything on the line.
 
Los Angeles isn’t the same team as the one that suffered the humiliating, 39-point loss in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Remember, that was a team forced to play Pau Gasol in the middle.

Andrew Bynum’s presence gives Phil Jackson a guy who is a step up from Kendrick Perkins. I know Celtics fans may not want to hear it, but it’s true. The 7-foot Bynum may not yet be a dominant low-post player, but the 21-year-old is already nearly a double-double guy with far greater upside than Perkins.

Bynum’s presence also takes pressure off Gasol, who doesn’t exactly thrive in intense conditions. It’s no surprise that Derek Fisher is shooting the ball more effectively from long distance than at any point in his career. He’s surrounded with guys who can score (Kobe, Gasol, Bynum) and pass (Luke Walton) and is taking 3-pointers on a regular basis without a defender in the same area code.

The Celtics aren’t the same team, either.

While the Allen’s – Ray and Tony – did an admirable job defensively on Kobe (with plenty of help), it’s clear that Boston will miss James Posey – especially come playoff time against the LeBron’s and Kobe’s of the world. Remember, it was Posey and Paul Pierce who rotated in making life difficult for Kobe in the last three games of the NBA Finals when he was a pitiful 21-of-52 from the field.

Ray and Tony aren’t capable of throwing Kobe off his game like that – and that was clear with all of the help that Doc Rivers gave them in their attempt to contain the NBA’s most explosive scorer.

Tony Allen has had his moments this season, but he’ll never be Posey. Allen plays out of control, forces ill-advised shots and while he’s far more athletic than Posey, he just doesn’t possess the same basketball IQ and intangibles.

The Lakers second unit – especially now that Lamar Odom has been downgraded – is clearly superior to a C’s group that includes Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Tony Allen.

Odom and Sasha Vujacic are both capable of erupting offensively, athletic forward Trevor Ariza has emerged and the Lakers won on Christmas without quality backup point guard Jordan Farmar – who should return from knee surgery sometime after the All-Star break.

Danny Ainge should – and will – continue still look to add a piece that can lead this unit – whether it’s Stephon Marbury (if he’s bought of his current deal) or another capable veteran who can create their own shot.

The Streak is over – and it may be one of those “blessing in disguises.” Now the Lakers can start walking around the streets of L.A. with a swagger, Vujacic can pound his chest – and the Celtics can re-focus on defending the ultimate prize, rather than breaking NBA records.

It’s not as if Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen need added motivation, but now they have some to carry them over through a ho-hum regular-season in which the only challenger in the Atlantic Division – and even the Eastern Conference – is themselves.

Maybe the Lakers are the favorites.

Maybe the Celtics aren’t invincible.

Rajon Rondo is a much-improved point guard, but he’s still not a bonafide All-Star until he can make opponents pay for leaving him basically unguarded. There’s no way he’s even in the same stratosphere as Chris Paul or Deron Williams until he can make a 16-footer without hesitation.

The Celtics bench is an enigma. Leon Powe is what he is, an undersized power forward who outworks his opponents – but is limited. Davis is inconsistent and House is fine running the team – as long as he’s facing a team such as the Lakers that won’t put pressure on him.

The Lakers have improved.

But this may have been exactly what Doc Rivers’ team needed. At least until Feb. 5 when Kobe & Co. come to Boston.

Jeff's Top 10 NBA Point Guards

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans
2. Deron Williams, Utah
3. Devin Harris, New Jersey
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio
5. Chauncey Billups, Denver
6. Steve Nash, Phoenix
7. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers
8. Jose Calderon, Toronto
9. Derrick Rose, Chicago
10. Rajon Rondo, Boston

Jeff Goodman is a senior basketball writer for FOXSports.com.