SPORTS/OLYMPICS> Basketball
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SPORTS/OLYMPICS> Basketball
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Celtics stun Lakers to move to brink of title
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-13 13:14
LOS ANGELES - The Boston Celtics overcame a 20-point, second-half deficit to stun the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 on Thursday and move to the brink of their record 17th NBA title. Boston leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can wrap up the championship on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Lakers were cruising with a 70-50 lead before the Celtics roared back in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to two points. Boston's 11-times All-Star forward Kevin Garnett scored four points during an 8-0 streak midway through the final quarter to ease the Celtics into an 88-83 lead with 2:12 left. A lay-up by Kobe Bryant with 90 seconds left kept the Lakers in touch but a 25-foot, three-pointer from reserve James Posey on the ensuing possession hiked the lead to 92-87. Paul Pierce scored 20 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Celtics. Ray Allen scored 19, while Posey added 18 and Garnett 16 with a team-leading 11 rebounds. The Lakers were led by Lamar Odom's 19 points, followed by Bryant and Paul Gasol with 17 apiece. League MVP Bryant, however, hit just six of 19 shots. Boston won the first two games at home but played horribly in an 87-81 loss on Tuesday and even worse in the opening half of Thursday's game at the raucous sold-out Staples Center. The Lakers began the game on a 20-6 run, running on almost every occasion, while the Celtics spluttered. With Odom coming out of his recent slumber, the Lakers stretched their lead to 45-21 midway through the second quarter, and held a 58-40 advantage by intermission. The loss marked the Lakers' first at home in 10 post-season games, while the Celtics, despite having a 31-10 road record during the regular season, improved to just 3-8 away from Boston in the playoffs. |
