News

Celtics 116, Lakers 95
By Marc D'Amico, February 8, 2013
Key Moment Key Box Score Line Box Score Nuggets Quote of the Night

Key Moment

The Los Angeles Lakers were done when they trailed by 11 points midway through the third quarter of Wednesday's game against the Celtics, but the chef decided to put them back in the oven. By the end of the quarter, they weren't just done - they were well done.

Consider them cooked.

Boston finished the third period on a 23-8 run over the final 4:51 of the frame. That spurt propelled the Celtics to a 95-69 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

It all began with an and-one layup by Paul Pierce as he rose over Kobe Bryant and dropped in a finger roll. Pierce then scored the next four points of the run before Brandon Bass chipped in with four consecutive points on mid-range jumpers. Avery Bradley immediately stole L.A.’s inbound pass after Bass’ second jumper and put home a layup that was soon followed up by a jumper from Pierce.

The Celtics were pouring it on at that point, leading by 21 points, but they continued to shovel salt into the Lakers’ wounds over the final 72 seconds of the quarter. Jason Terry hit a 3-pointer and Jeff Green followed that up with a monster slam on a Celtics fast break. Pierce then sank a trey just 14.4 seconds after Green’s slam to put Boston on top by 26 points.

That 8-0 run by the C’s was the highlight of their electric final five minutes of the third period. The two 3s and Green’s dunk came in a span of just 31.4 seconds and turned the heat up to max level on Los Angeles.

We hope you like your Lakers well done.


Key Box Score Line

Paul Pierce would not be outdone by Kobe Bryant on Thursday night. Bryant may have scored more points, but it was Pierce who dominated the contest.

Pierce finished with team highs of 24 points and six assists Thursday night while hitting 10 of his 17 field goal attempts. He also chipped in seven boards, which trailed only Chris Wilcox on the team.

Boston pulled away in the third quarter thanks in large part to the captain’s performance. Pierce scored half of his points in that frame while hitting five of his six shot attempts.

You may have slightly outscored Pierce, Mr. Bryant, but it was No. 34 who owned the night.

Box Score Nuggets

  • Six Celtics scored in double-figures, led by Paul Pierce's 24 points.
  • Kevin Garnett scored his 25,000th career point and finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
  • Boston led by as many as 32 points in the game.
  • The Celtics scored 37 points in the third quarter.
  • Kobe Bryant (27 points) was the only Lakers starter to score in double-figures.
  • Los Angeles shot 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from 3-point range.
  • Jeff Green (19 points) and Jason Terry (15 points) combined for 34 points off of the bench.
  • Boston scored 58 points in the paint to Los Angeles' 36.
  • The Celtics scored 22 fast break points to the Lakers' four.
  • Both teams attempted 87 field goals.
  • Not a single player in the game grabbed double-digit rebounds.
  • Five Celtics blocked one shot apiece.

Quote of the Night

He has the double-whammy: he’s with the Celtics playing the Lakers, and he’s from L.A., and he lives in L.A. in the offseason. So it’s probably really important for him to play well and win, so he can walk the streets and talk, as Paul probably does. Doc Rivers on Paul Pierce's great play against his hometown Lakers