Lakers-Celtics Preview

By BRIAN MAHONEY
Posted Jun 12 2010 4:18PM

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are headed to a pivotal Game 5 of the NBA finals, the latest big moment in basketball's biggest rivalry.

The Celtics can move a win away from an 18th championship, and a 10th in 12 meetings with the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant can inch closer to a fifth title, a chance to further cement his legacy.

Have to love it, right?

Not if you're Bryant.

``I'm miserable,'' he said Saturday.

That's because of the Celtics, who guarded him well in the fourth quarter of their 96-89 victory Thursday that evened the series at two games apiece, and simply won't allow him to be as spectacular as he was against Phoenix in the previous round.

Game 5 is Sunday, and the Lakers expect to have center Andrew Bynum back after he played only 12 minutes in Game 4 because of a sore right knee.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson thought Bryant looked tired in that game, and Bryant was even asked if he'd tweaked his knee. Combine that with all the talk of how well the Celtics have defended him, and suddenly those doubters that surfaced when Bryant looked so worn down late in the regular season are popping up again.

``That's what they do,'' Bryant said. ``They show up, disappear, show up, disappear. That's part of it.''

He can silence them again with a big effort Sunday. That's not easy against these Celtics, who didn't flinch when they had to face Dwyane Wade in the first round or LeBron James in the second, and weren't fazed when Bryant scored 30 in the Lakers' series-opening victory.

Bryant managed only two field goals in the decisive fourth quarter of Game 4, and Boston limited him to only one in the last 12 minutes of the previous game.

``They don't want me to beat them, so they put three guys there,'' Bryant said. ``Nothing we haven't seen before, it's just when you win those games, like Game 3, nobody talks about that because we take advantage of it. And if you lose the game, everybody talks about that. It's part of the process.''

Moody but not as angry as he was during most of last year's finals, when his own kids were calling him ``Grumpy,'' Bryant said he hadn't been watching any coverage during the off days. So he's missed the highlights of Nate Robinson leaping onto Glen Davis' back as those reserves powered the Celtics down the stretch of Game 4.

But he may have heard some of the talk about how well another reserve - Tony Allen - and the Celtics have contained him, so Boston coach Doc Rivers would like to quiet that chatter so Bryant doesn't find himself with even more motivation Sunday.

``Definitely that's one, but you also know it's a Game 5 and it's 2-2. I don't think there's anything either one of us can say that is going to rile us up any more than being in a Game 5 in the finals tied 2-2,'' Rivers said.

``But, yeah, Kobe is pretty competitive from what I hear, so there's no doubt that the more you talk about it, the more the target is on. But that's fine. The one thing I know about Tony, he's not going anywhere. He'll be there.''

And he'll have help. With Pau Gasol the only other Laker who's hurt them, the Celtics can afford to turn even more attention to Bryant, who is averaging 28.3 points but on just 41 percent shooting.

``Our whole thing is all five guys doing it together,'' Allen said. ``And when you got all five guys on the same page and focused and in tune on (assistant) Tom Thibodeau's defensive strategies, I think it makes it difficult for guys, superstars.''

The finals are tied after four games for the first time since 2006. Of the 25 series that were tied 2-all, the winner of Game 5 won 19 of them.

A victory in Boston on Sunday gives the Lakers two chances to wrap it up at home, while a loss means Bryant is closer to going 0-2 against Boston in the finals. He said he couldn't go down as the greatest Lakers player ever if he never beats the Celtics.

Bryant considers Jerry West to have that title. Yet he never beat the Celtics either, whereas Magic Johnson did it twice.

``What is everybody's fascination with the Celtics in terms of going down in history?'' Bryant said. ``It's a little weird to me.''

With Bynum's injury, and Ron Artest and Lamar Odom's inconsistency, the Lakers have had to play Bryant and Gasol major minutes. The burden is heavier on Bryant, who has battled injuries throughout the second half of the season, and it's likely the reason for his fourth-quarter struggles.

The Celtics are the older team but seem fresher, since a more productive bench has allowed their starters to get some rest during the series. Jackson would like to give Bryant the same opportunity.

``I've got to find a little space and time for him to give him some rest in that situation so he can come back with renewed energy,'' Jackson said. ``But after he's played 30-plus minutes, to have that kind of energy to finish a game out is important to us, and we've got to get that back.''

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Celtics' defense stymies Lakers as Boston claims 3-2 lead

By Couper Moorhead, for NBA.com
Posted Monday June 14, 2010 1:14AM

BOSTON (NBA.com exclusive) -- This was everything you could have wanted from an NBA Finals game. It was physical. It was competitive. And it featured two teams playing different enough styles to engender after-the-fact discourse about who was playing the "right way".

Tonight, the "right way" was the path taken by the Boston Celtics, and not only because they beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 92-86, in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. They were tougher, they played together and they prioritized defense, despite shooting 56 percent themselves.

"We scrapped, we got them in the half court for the most part, and that's the type of game we like," Paul Pierce said. "It would be tough for us to beat them if they go out and score 120 points."

Defense certainly wasn't a priority for the Lakers, who allowed 46 points in the paint in an 87 possession game -- meaning Boston scored in the paint on 26 percent of their offensive possessions -- and gave up three offensive rebounds when trailing in the final four minutes.

Not to mention multiple instances when a Boston player either had a straight line to the hoop or when they waltzed in, unhindered, with back cuts. Or allowing Boston to score in nine of its first ten possessions of the second half.

"Defensively, we weren't very good at all," Bryant said. "Last game it was the fourth quarter, this game it was the third quarter. We didn't get any stops. They got layup after layup after layup, and you can't survive a team that shoots 56 percent."

The Lakers still had their opportunities, in part because of the extra chances afforded to them by 16 offensive rebounds and Boston managed just 19 points in the final quarter. But the greatest share for the window remaining open was due to Bryant going supernova in the third quarter, scoring the Lakers' first 19 points of the half. Bryant hit jumpers from every angle, often over multiple defenders, and is deserving of every superlative.

And yet, good as Bryant was, his offense may have sunk the team.

"As long as we were going to keep scoring the way we were scoring, we were going to be good," Doc Rivers said.

Against possibly the best team-defense in the league, using isolation plays nearly every time down the floor is a recipe for failure. While Bryant defied Hoops 101 for longer than nearly any other individual is capable, passing stagnated and his teammates, many who were already struggling, fell off.

Credit must be awarded the Boston defense for disrupting its opponents' system, but it was abundantly clear that the Lakers were fine running set after set to get Bryant the ball. Even after timeouts, when coaches generally try to draw something up to generate ball movement, Lakers coach Phil Jackson would return to Bryant.

"He was in a nice rhythm," Kevin Garnett said. "I thought for the most part we pretty much controlled everybody else, but in that scenario you put your hand up and play the best D that you can."

It's difficult to deflect criticism off Pau Gasol -- 12 points, 12 rebounds, 12 shots -- just because Bryant took over the team, but after being such a huge part of victories in Games 1 and 3, he was no longer an offensive priority.

Gasol was also thoroughly dominated by Garnett, a subject even Bryant couldn't skirt.

"He's been consistent for us, for awhile, so he can afford to have a bad game," Bryant said.

Opposite Bryant's production was Boston's team (21 assists on 40 field goals) offense, led by a resurgent Pierce (27 points) and rounded out with 48 points from the combo of Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. Jackson wasn't upset about giving up 92 points -- 105 points per 100 possessions -- but with assists on more than half their buckets and 17 percent better shooting, the Celtics were clearly doing something right.

What made this game nearly perfect, though, aside from chest-to-chest physicality being plentiful, was that the outcome came down to a pair of sequences.

The first came with 43 seconds remaining and the Lakers down five. Ron Artest missed a pair of free throws, but Bryant swooped in from the top of the key and appeared to have the offensive rebound ... until Pierce took hold and snatched the ball away with force.

Then, after the ensuing timeout with the Lakers in full-court press, the inbounds pass went to a streaking Pierce down the sideline. He managed to make the catch and tip-toe inside the sideline before sending a line drive pass to Rondo, who then made an equally impressive catch-and-finish.

"I was just showing off my Randy Moss and my Tom Brady in one play, that's all," Pierce said.

Bad games, statistics and numbers aside, those are the types of plays that should decide the NBA championship. And whether or not Bryant's offense needs to re-adapt to his team in Game 5, those are the plays he'll need from his team to avoid a repeat of 2008.

"Just man up and play," Bryant said.

"What the hell is the big deal? I don't see it as a big deal. If I have to say something to them, then we don't deserve to be champions. We're down 3-2, go home, win one game, go into the next one. Simple as that."

• Lakers: Mbenga
• Celtics: Gaffney, Lafayette, Scalabrine

• Lakers: Fisher
• Celtics: Allen, Rondo

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #24 Mike Callahan, #9 Derrick Stafford
• Attendance: 18624
• Duration: 2:43

Los Angeles Lakers (57-26)		Boston Celtics (51-32)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Perkins vs Bynum (Fisher gains possession)
Bynum Jump Shot: Missed Block: Pierce (1 BLK)	11:43
	11:42	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:31 [BOS 2-0]	Garnett Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	11:18
	11:17	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:13 [BOS 4-0]	Pierce Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	10:52
	10:51	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:34	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:32
Bynum Jump Shot: Missed	10:15
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:14
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:11
	10:09	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:02 [BOS 6-0]	Rondo Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	09:40
Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:39
Bynum Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:36 [LAL 2-6]
	09:36	Perkins Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Bynum Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	09:36
	09:36	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	09:20	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:19
	09:15	Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	09:15 [LAL 3-6]
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	09:15 [LAL 4-6]
	09:03	Garnett Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	09:03	Garnett Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	08:49
Fisher Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:48
Fisher Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:46 [LAL 6-6]
	08:26	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:25
Bynum Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)	08:15 [LAL 8-6]
	07:50	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:48
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	07:32
	07:31	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	07:17 [BOS 8-8]	Garnett Running Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)
Fisher Jump Bank Shot: Made (6 PTS)	06:47 [LAL 10-8]
	06:29 [BOS 10-10]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Artest Layup Shot: Missed Block: Pierce (2 BLK)	06:10
Team Rebound	06:10
Jump Ball Pierce vs Bynum (Artest gains possession)	06:10
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	06:01
	05:41 [BOS 12-10]	Garnett Floating Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)
Bynum Running Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)	05:28 [LAL 12-12]
	05:18 [BOS 14-12]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	04:58	Pierce Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	04:58	Team Timeout : Regular
Instant Replay - Support Ruling	04:58
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 3 (7 PTS)	04:58 [LAL 13-14]
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 3 (8 PTS)	04:58 [LAL 14-14]
Fisher Free Throw 3 of 3 (9 PTS)	04:58 [LAL 15-14]
Bryant Foul : Personal (1 PF)	04:41
	04:36 [BOS 16-15]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	04:12
	04:11	Team Rebound
	03:55	Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)
Fisher Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (1 ST)	03:49
	03:44 [BOS 18-15]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	03:21
	03:20	Perkins Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:16	Perkins Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	03:16	Perkins Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	03:16	Allen Substitution replaced by Allen
	03:16	Perkins Substitution replaced by Davis
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	03:01
	03:00	Team Rebound
	02:50	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:48
Allen Violation:Kicked Ball	02:39
Team Timeout : Regular	02:39
Bynum Substitution replaced by Odom	02:39
Fisher Substitution replaced by Farmar	02:39
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)	02:32 [LAL 18-18]
	02:07 [BOS 20-18]	Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)
Artest Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)	01:41
Artest Foul : Personal (1 PF)	01:39
	01:39	Garnett Substitution replaced by Wallace
	01:26	Pierce Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:25
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	01:11
	01:10	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:55.9	Allen Layup Shot: Missed
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:54.7
Farmar Layup Shot: Missed	00:46.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:46.2
Gasol Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)	00:46.2 [LAL 20-20]
	00:30.9 [BOS 22-20]	Pierce Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)
Odom Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	00:18.6
Odom Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	00:18.6
	00:18.6	Allen Substitution replaced by Allen
	00:18.6	Davis Substitution replaced by Robinson
Artest Substitution replaced by Brown	00:18.6
	00:00.0	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (57-26)		Boston Celtics (51-32)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:38 [BOS 24-20]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)
	11:24	Allen Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Bynum Hook Shot: Missed	11:10
	11:09	Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Bynum Foul : Personal (1 PF)	11:09
	10:48 [BOS 26-20]	Wallace Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Robinson (2 AST)
Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed	10:30
Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:29
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	10:23
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:22
Odom Putback Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:20 [LAL 22-26]
	10:02	Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Vujacic (1 ST)
Farmar Running Layup Shot: Missed	09:50
	09:49	Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Vujacic Foul : Personal (1 PF)	09:42
Artest Substitution replaced by Bryant	09:42
	09:42	Pierce Substitution replaced by Allen
	09:29	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
	09:29	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:24 [BOS 28-22]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Odom Jump Shot: Missed Block: Wallace (1 BLK)	08:59
	08:58	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	08:54 [BOS 30-22]	Allen Running Reverse Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)
Timeout : Official	08:46
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	08:32
	08:31	Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:07	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)	07:54 [LAL 25-30]
	07:34	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Farmar (1 ST)
	07:32	Robinson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Farmar Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:32 [LAL 26-30]
	07:32	Robinson Substitution replaced by Rondo
Farmar Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	07:32
	07:31	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:17 [BOS 32-26]	Rondo Reverse Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)
	07:02	Allen Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	07:02	Allen Substitution replaced by Pierce
	07:02	Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett
Vujacic Substitution replaced by Artest	07:02
Farmar Substitution replaced by Fisher	07:02
Bryant Running Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Artest (1 AST)	06:49 [LAL 28-32]
	06:33	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Odom (1 ST)
Odom Turnover : 3 Second Violation (2 TO)	06:21
	06:21	Wallace Substitution replaced by Perkins
	05:59	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Odom (2 ST)
Artest 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Odom (2 AST)	05:47 [LAL 31-32]
	05:38	Team Timeout : Regular
Odom Substitution replaced by Gasol	05:38
	05:22 [BOS 34-31]	Rondo Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (2 ST)	05:04
	05:00	Rondo Turnover : Discontinue Dribble (3 TO)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	04:49
	04:48	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Artest Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:42
	04:42	Rondo Technical
Bryant Free Throw Technical (6 PTS)	04:42 [LAL 32-34]
	04:42 [BOS 35-32]	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	04:42 [BOS 36-32]	Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Artest 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bryant (4 AST)	04:23 [LAL 35-36]
	04:09	Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Gasol (1 ST)
Bryant Running Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	03:59 [LAL 37-36]
	03:36 [BOS 39-37]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	03:06
	03:06	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:56	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:54	Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	02:54 [BOS 41-37]	Perkins Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:42
Bynum Substitution replaced by Odom	02:42
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	02:35
Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	02:34
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	02:32 [LAL 39-41]
	02:10 [BOS 43-39]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Artest Layup Shot: Missed	01:52
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	01:51
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	01:44
	01:42	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	01:37	Rondo Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	01:37	Rondo Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	01:20
	01:19	Team Rebound
Artest Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	01:19
Artest Substitution replaced by Walton	01:19
	00:59.5 [BOS 45-39]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	00:40.9
	00:39.8	Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	00:33.9	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Fisher Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:32.9
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	00:18.9
	00:17.7	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (57-26)		Boston Celtics (51-32)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:42 [BOS 47-39]	Rondo Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Garnett (3 AST)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (1 BLK)	11:20
	11:18	Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	11:11 [BOS 50-39]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)
	10:54	Pierce Foul : Defense 3 Second (1 PF)
Bryant Free Throw Technical Missed	10:54
Team Rebound	10:54
Bryant Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (12 PTS)	10:43 [LAL 41-50]
	10:23 [BOS 52-41]	Perkins Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	09:59 [LAL 43-52]
	09:40	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:37	Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	09:27 [BOS 54-43]	Allen Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (17 PTS)	09:07 [LAL 46-54]
	08:52 [BOS 56-46]	Garnett Reverse Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Garnett (3 ST)	08:39
	08:34	Rondo Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (5 TO)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS)	08:16 [LAL 49-56]
Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)	08:06
	07:56 [BOS 58-49]	Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Made (20 PTS)
Bryant Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	07:47
Bryant Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	07:47
	07:38 [BOS 60-49]	Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Perkins (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:37
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)	07:25 [LAL 51-60]
	07:10	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
	07:07	Team Rebound
	07:07	Double Technical - Allen, Fisher
	07:00 [BOS 62-51]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Rondo (6 AST)
	07:00	Allen Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Bryant Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Fisher (2 AST)	06:48 [LAL 53-62]
Gasol Foul : Personal (1 PF)	06:31
	06:31 [BOS 63-53]	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	06:31 [BOS 64-53]	Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (27 PTS) Assist: Artest (2 AST)	06:10 [LAL 56-64]
Artest Foul : Personal (4 PF)	05:52
Artest Substitution replaced by Walton	05:52
	05:38	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:36
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	05:22
	05:21	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Bynum Foul : Personal (2 PF)	05:16
	05:06 [BOS 66-56]	Garnett Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Gasol Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:06
	05:06 [BOS 67-56]	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 1 (15 PTS)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (2 BLK)	04:55
Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	04:54
	04:53	Pierce Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (28 PTS)	04:53 [LAL 57-67]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (29 PTS)	04:53 [LAL 58-67]
	04:31	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
	04:30	Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	04:15 [BOS 69-58]	Allen Turnaround Bank shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Rondo (7 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	03:53
	03:51	Team Rebound
	03:31	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	03:28
	03:18	Garnett Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Walton Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (4 ST)	03:13
	03:08 [BOS 71-58]	Allen Jump Bank Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (8 AST)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	02:50
	02:49	Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)
	02:35	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO)
	02:35	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:35	Allen Substitution replaced by Allen
	02:35	Garnett Substitution replaced by Davis
Fisher Substitution replaced by Farmar	02:35
Bynum Substitution replaced by Odom	02:35
Gasol Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 60-71]
	02:16	Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 61-71]
	01:59	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	01:58
	01:49	Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	01:49	Perkins Substitution replaced by Wallace
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:49
Team Rebound	01:49
Bryant Substitution replaced by Vujacic	01:49
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	01:49
	01:49	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:36	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (7 TO) Steal:Gasol (2 ST)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Allen (1 BLK)	01:26
	01:23	Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	01:05 [BOS 73-61]	Pierce Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (26 PTS)
Farmar Layup Shot: Missed Block: Rondo (1 BLK)	00:53.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	00:51.9
Vujacic Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Walton (1 AST)	00:44.9 [LAL 63-73]
	00:24.9	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:24.5
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	00:04.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:2)	00:03.9
Gasol Tip Shot: Missed	00:03.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:2)	00:02.9
Gasol Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	00:01.9 [LAL 65-73]
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (57-26)		Boston Celtics (51-32)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Farmar (1 AST)	11:44 [LAL 67-73]
	11:24	Wallace Running Hook Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	11:23
Gasol Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (1 TO)	11:11
	10:59 [BOS 76-67]	Wallace 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Robinson (3 AST)
Vujacic Layup Shot: Missed	10:39
	10:38	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:30	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:3)	10:29
Bryant Running Jump Shot: Made (31 PTS)	10:10 [LAL 69-76]
	09:55	Allen Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bryant (1 BLK)
	09:54	Team Rebound
	09:44 [BOS 78-69]	Robinson Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	09:22
	09:21	Team Rebound
Gasol Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	09:21
	09:21	Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett
	09:21	Allen Substitution replaced by Pierce
	09:01	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Vujacic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:00
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	08:48
	08:47	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Bryant Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	08:25
	08:25	Timeout : Official
Farmar Substitution replaced by Fisher	08:25
Gasol Substitution replaced by Bynum	08:25
Vujacic Substitution replaced by Artest	08:25
	08:25 [BOS 79-69]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (27 PTS)
	08:25	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:25
	08:07	Allen Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Bryant Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (33 PTS)	07:58 [LAL 71-79]
	07:37 [BOS 81-71]	Allen Reverse Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Robinson (4 AST)
Odom Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:19 [LAL 73-81]
	06:54	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
	06:52	Team Rebound
	06:52	Robinson Substitution replaced by Rondo
	06:52	Wallace Substitution replaced by Perkins
	06:41	Foul : Double Personal - Allen (4 PF), Fisher (2 PF)
	06:38	Perkins Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	06:38	Perkins Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Bynum Foul : Offensive (3 PF)	06:29
Bynum Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	06:29
	06:12	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	06:11
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	06:05
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	06:03
Odom Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	06:01 [LAL 75-81]
	06:01	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:40 [BOS 83-75]	Garnett Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)	05:23
	05:19 [BOS 85-75]	Rondo Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)
Fisher Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Rondo (2 ST)	04:58
Bryant Foul : Personal (4 PF)	04:52
Bynum Substitution replaced by Gasol	04:52
	04:36	Garnett Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:4)	04:35
Jump Ball Garnett vs Odom (Rondo gains possession)	04:25
Odom Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Garnett (5 ST)	04:25
	03:58	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
	03:56	Rondo Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	03:56 [BOS 87-75]	Rondo Tip Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	03:39
Team Rebound	03:37
	03:37	Pierce Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	03:28
	03:26	Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)
Bryant Foul : Personal (5 PF)	03:24
	03:06	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	03:04
	02:55	Garnett Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:55
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (34 PTS)	02:55 [LAL 76-87]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (35 PTS)	02:55 [LAL 77-87]
	02:38	Garnett Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Artest (1 ST)
	02:25	Garnett Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:25
Team Rebound	02:25
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	02:25 [LAL 78-87]
	02:07	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:06	Perkins Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	01:44	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:41
	01:41	Perkins Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	01:41 [LAL 79-87]
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	01:41
	01:41	Team Rebound
Gasol Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)	01:41
	01:41	Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:41	Team Rebound
Odom Substitution replaced by Bynum	01:41
	01:41	Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:5)	01:41
Team Timeout : Short	01:40
Bynum Substitution replaced by Odom	01:40
	01:30	Allen Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 3 (38 PTS)	01:30 [LAL 80-87]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 3 (38 PTS)	01:30 [LAL 81-87]
Bryant Free Throw 3 of 3 (38 PTS)	01:30 [LAL 82-87]
	01:06	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:05	Perkins Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	01:05	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:05	Perkins Substitution replaced by Wallace
	00:50.9	Wallace 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:46.6	Team Rebound
	00:46.6	Jump Ball Garnett vs Fisher (Bryant gains possession)
	00:46.6	Garnett Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Fisher (1 ST)
	00:43.3	Pierce Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:43.3
Team Rebound	00:43.3
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:43.3
	00:40.9	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:38.9	Team Timeout : Short
	00:35.2 [BOS 89-82]	Rondo Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Short	00:35.2
	00:35.2	Wallace Substitution replaced by Perkins
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:30.9
Odom Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	00:29.9
Odom Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)	00:28.6 [LAL 84-89]
Fisher Foul : Personal (3 PF)	00:18.4
	00:18.4 [BOS 90-84]	Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	00:18.4 [BOS 91-84]	Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:12.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:7 Def:5)	00:11.8
Gasol Putback Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	00:10.1 [LAL 86-91]
Odom Foul : Personal (2 PF)	00:08.9
	00:08.9	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:08.9	Team Rebound
	00:08.9 [BOS 92-86]	Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	00:08.9
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:06.9
Fisher Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:04.9
Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed	00:02.3
	00:01.0	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			ABC	National	8:00 pm ET
canada			TSN	national	8:00 pm ET