Lakers win NBA thriller to end Celtics streak
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) - - Lamar Odom's free throws with 16 seconds left in overtime helped the Los Angeles Lakers stop the streaking Boston Celtics cold for the second time this season.
The Lakers outlasted the Celtics 110-109 - their second victory over the Celtics this season after they fell to Boston in six games in the National Basketball Association championship series last season.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Odom added 20 points for the Lakers who imprved to 40-9. That gave them the best record in the NBA in terms of percentage, as the Celtics fell to 41-10.
The Lakers also had the satisfaction of again ending a significant Celtics winning streak.
The Lakers ended Boston's franchise-record 19-game winning streak in Los Angeles Christmas Day.
This time they halted a 12-game winning streak. What may eventually prove more important, the two victories earned the tiebreaker for home-court advantage if the teams meet again in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers trailed 109-108 when Odom blocked a shot by Glend Davis, grabbed the loose ball and tried launch a fast break.
He was fouled as he passed, setting up his key free throws.
On the ensuing possession - the final one of the game - Rajon Rondo accidentally was undercut by Derek Fisher, who fell to the floor in the path of the Celtics' point guard.
The gaffe let the Celtics set up a play from out-of-bounds, but Pau Gasol got a piece of Ray Allen's three-point attempt.
Fans at the TD Banknorth Garden went wild calling for a foul as time expired.
Allen scored 22 points for the Celtics, who were without defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett at the end of the game after he fouled out with 4:22 to play in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers outlasted the Celtics 110-109 - their second victory over the Celtics this season after they fell to Boston in six games in the National Basketball Association championship series last season.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Odom added 20 points for the Lakers who imprved to 40-9. That gave them the best record in the NBA in terms of percentage, as the Celtics fell to 41-10.
The Lakers also had the satisfaction of again ending a significant Celtics winning streak.
The Lakers ended Boston's franchise-record 19-game winning streak in Los Angeles Christmas Day.
This time they halted a 12-game winning streak. What may eventually prove more important, the two victories earned the tiebreaker for home-court advantage if the teams meet again in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers trailed 109-108 when Odom blocked a shot by Glend Davis, grabbed the loose ball and tried launch a fast break.
He was fouled as he passed, setting up his key free throws.
On the ensuing possession - the final one of the game - Rajon Rondo accidentally was undercut by Derek Fisher, who fell to the floor in the path of the Celtics' point guard.
The gaffe let the Celtics set up a play from out-of-bounds, but Pau Gasol got a piece of Ray Allen's three-point attempt.
Fans at the TD Banknorth Garden went wild calling for a foul as time expired.
Allen scored 22 points for the Celtics, who were without defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett at the end of the game after he fouled out with 4:22 to play in the fourth quarter.
RSS Feed (xml)
0 comments:
Post a Comment