Los Angeles Lakers hang on against the Boston Celtics for 88 – 87 over-time win – NBA Recap
Los Angeles Lakers were able to hold on despite intense pressure by the Boston Celtics for an important win at the TD Garden. The fiercely competitive contest required overtime to decide a winner and the Lakers grasped the 88 – 87 triumph in dramatic fashion.
The Celtics were disappointed to lose out such a close game, especially on home court. The Cs turned in a good display against their famed rivals but fell just short in the end, something that did not go down well with the team’s battle hardened core.
"We get one rebound down there at the end of regulation we give ourselves a great chance at winning. Defensive rebounding was a big emphasis for us coming into the game and we just didn't do a good job tonight." Paul Pierce, Celtics captain, said after the
game.
Pierce had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to his name while Kevin Garnett scored 12 and grabbed 12 boards for Boston. Ray Allen got the team high 22 points and Rajon Rondo did a good job, scoring 14 and dishing out 7 assists.
For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant was the leading scorer with 27 points. Equally lethal was Pau Gasol, with the Spanish forward scoring 25 and grabbing 14 boards in a double-double performance. Andrew Bynum was impressive as well, raking in 17 rebounds and 16
points.
Boston looked like having an upper hand when the game started. They were up 7 – 2 early and gave the Lakers plenty of problems in the first quarter. After an 8 – 2 burst near the end, Boston were up 23 – 14 with just 1:55 remaining. By the end of the segment
though, Los Angeles were able to claw down the deficit to 4 points; 26 – 22.
The second was a tightly contested affair and neither team was able to take control of the game. They played out to almost a stalemate and the game was finely poised going into half time at 47 – 45, Boston ahead.
After the break Los Angeles started to change gears. They had an advantage in the paint all night long thanks to the powerful duo of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. With Kobe Bryant and company also coming to the party, the Lakers were able to dislodge Boston’s
grabble hold on the lead; an 8 – 0 spurt at the end proving decisive.
The 4th began with the score 67 – 64 to Los Angeles but Boston were hot on their trail. The home side even took the lead, at 77 – 75, but the margins were so thin that neither team had a distinct advantage. Kobe Bryant missed the shot that would
have drawn Lakers level at the death but it was tipped in by Gasol.
Poor execution on the final play by Boston forced Mickael Pietrus to miss his shot and the game went into overtime. The sides were still pretty much inseparable in overtime as well. With the score 88 – 87 to Los Angeles, Paul Pierce had a chance to win it
for Boston at the death.
His shot though didn’t fall and Ray Allen’s put back attempt was brilliantly blocked by Pau Gasol, giving Los Angeles a thrilling win.
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