Celtics come out on top in Finals’ rematch
Monday, January 31, 2011
Boston survived a late surge by Kobe Bryant on Sunday afternoon and finished what they started in last year’s NBA Finals with a 109-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.
The last time the Celtics visited Los Angeles, they coughed up a 13-point lead in Game 7 of the Finals, giving the Lakers their second consecutive world title. On Sunday, they closed out Los Angeles in proper fashion, answering Bryant’s 41 points with a 18-9 run down the stretch to seal the victory.
Boston is now 36-11 and owns the best record in the Eastern Conference while the Lakers dropped to 33-15 with their fourth loss in their last seven games.
Paul Pierce finished with a team-high 32 points for the Celtics, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds despite a cut on his forehead and Rajon Rondo dished out 15 of his 16 assists in the second half. The Celtics also out-rebounded the Lakers, 43-30.
After the Lakers closed to within four points, 91-87, with 5:20 remaining, the Celtics scored seven consecutive points to seal the win. Boston held Pau Gasol to 12 points. The Celtics, who’ve won eight of their last 10, will return to action Tuesday at Sacramento.
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