A Fight To The Finish; Lakers Beat Celtics In Over Time 110-109

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Lakers Celtics 2.5a

This was a knock down drag out heavy weight battle. Muhammad Ali standing toe to toe with Joe Frazier trading blow after blow, each taking the best the other one had to give. Fittingly it ended in overtime, as Ray Allen heaved a desperation 25 foot trey, that would not hit the mark, as the Boston Celtics lost to the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night at the “New Garden” 110-109.

The victory gives Los Angeles a sweep of the season series, after defeating the Celtics at the Staples Center on Christmas Day. The loss breaks the Boston 12 game winning streak, the second time this season that the Lakers have broken an extended winning run by Boston. Kobe Bryant led all players with 26 points, but it was Lamar Odom who won the game for L.A. as he hit a pair at the line in the game’s waning seconds. The Lakers are now 3-0 since losing starting center Andrew Bynum to injury Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

This game was tightly played throughout as the two opponents were tied 7 times and the lead changed hands 11 times during the night. The Lakers would take the advantage at the end of the first quarter as they were on top 23-20. Momentum would shift in the second and the “Green Team” would walk into the locker room at the half with a razor thin 52-51 lead.

Boston looked like they were on the verge of taking over the contest as Eddie House drained a 25 foot trey with 1:24 left in the third giving his club a 79-71 advantage. Los Angeles though would cut the margin to just 4 points by the end of the quarter, with the Celtics ahead 81-77. The Celtics maintained the lead for most of the fourth, but with 3:23 remaining Kobe Bryant connected on a 25 foot trey and the contest was knotted up at 96-96.

Boston would pull ahead once again, and again Kobe came through for his team, this time hitting a three point shot from 26 feet away, and giving the Lakers a 101-100 lead with 1:30 left in the period. Paul Pierce had the chance to win the contest for the Celtics with 29 seconds to play, but he split a pair at the stripe tying the game at 101-101 and sending the contest into overtime. The lead volleyed back and forth in the extra period, and ultimately came down to Lamar Odom hitting a pair at the line with 16 seconds to play providing the margin of victory.

Kobe Bryant recorded a double-double, 26 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, while Pau Gasol also had a double-double, 24 points, 14 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. Lamar Odom scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Derek Fisher chipped in with 13 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 rebound.

Ray Allen who was named as a reserve on the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team Thursday, had 22 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal, Paul Pierce added 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double, 16 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal, while Kevin Garnett also contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Eddie House came off the pine and put in 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal, while Leon Powe came off the bench with 10 points, and 8 rebounds. The win puts the Lakers back in possession of the best record in the Association at 40-9, Boston is now 41-10.

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One Response to “A Fight To The Finish; Lakers Beat Celtics In Over Time 110-109”

Alejandra Aguilar on June 22nd, 2009 12:29 pm

I Loved this game it was thee best
Now that’s the reason why they won the championship Woah Lakers.. ) 09 more to come..