The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Boston 110–109 Thursday night as Ray Allen’s final shot fell short at the overtime buzzer.
It was only fitting that the game between the teams with the two best records in the NBA went into an extra period. This rematch of teams from the 2008 NBA Finals in Boston produced an entertaining and always-close contest.
Early on, both sides played a team game, with no individual having a big scoring night. They used their benches to good effect and rested their stars judiciously.
But as the tight contest wore on, the stars stayed on the floor. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol all played more than 40 minutes of regulation.
Boston star Kevin Garnett fouled out with 4:22 left after scoring 16 points. Not having the experienced former MVP and last year’s Defensive Player of the Year made it tougher for the Celtics to take command down the stretch and in overtime.
Bryant’s three-pointers late gave them their first lead in a while at 101–100. But after Pierce made one of two free throws, Bryant missed a shot with eight seconds remaining. He atoned by making a big defensive play to force an off-balance Celtics shot as regulation time expired.
Neither team could pull away, taking whatever knockout punches the other tried to throw in the battle of heavyweights.
The teams traded three-point baskets in the final minute of the third quarter, keeping things close and lively. Boston was up by four after three quarters, but the Lakers outscored them 24–20 in the fourth.
The Lakers had led by three after one quarter, with the Celtics up by one at the half.
Eddie House off the bench rained in the three-pointers, on which he was four of five. He scored 16 points in the game.
Lakers had problems finding the basket on free throws, going only 14 of 25 in regulation, which nearly cost them.
Bryant led all scorers with 26. Gasol had 24 and Lamar Odom had 20 for the Lakers. Gasol also had a game-high 24 rebounds.
Allen had 22 for the Celtics, including four in OT. Pierce had 21 points.
If the teams happen to meet in the finals gain in June, the Lakers will have the satisfaction of having swept the season two-game series.
It was only fitting that the game between the teams with the two best records in the NBA went into an extra period. This rematch of teams from the 2008 NBA Finals in Boston produced an entertaining and always-close contest.
Early on, both sides played a team game, with no individual having a big scoring night. They used their benches to good effect and rested their stars judiciously.
But as the tight contest wore on, the stars stayed on the floor. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol all played more than 40 minutes of regulation.
Boston star Kevin Garnett fouled out with 4:22 left after scoring 16 points. Not having the experienced former MVP and last year’s Defensive Player of the Year made it tougher for the Celtics to take command down the stretch and in overtime.
Bryant’s three-pointers late gave them their first lead in a while at 101–100. But after Pierce made one of two free throws, Bryant missed a shot with eight seconds remaining. He atoned by making a big defensive play to force an off-balance Celtics shot as regulation time expired.
Neither team could pull away, taking whatever knockout punches the other tried to throw in the battle of heavyweights.
The teams traded three-point baskets in the final minute of the third quarter, keeping things close and lively. Boston was up by four after three quarters, but the Lakers outscored them 24–20 in the fourth.
The Lakers had led by three after one quarter, with the Celtics up by one at the half.
Eddie House off the bench rained in the three-pointers, on which he was four of five. He scored 16 points in the game.
Lakers had problems finding the basket on free throws, going only 14 of 25 in regulation, which nearly cost them.
Bryant led all scorers with 26. Gasol had 24 and Lamar Odom had 20 for the Lakers. Gasol also had a game-high 24 rebounds.
Allen had 22 for the Celtics, including four in OT. Pierce had 21 points.
If the teams happen to meet in the finals gain in June, the Lakers will have the satisfaction of having swept the season two-game series.
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