Lakers, 103-98 (final)
LOS ANGELES — This one was about pride.
Not wanting to witness a celebration on their home court, the Lakers defeated the Celtics 103-98 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight at Staples Center. The teams will play at least one more game, with Game 6 coming Tuesday night in Boston. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2.
At first, this game looked like it had all the makings of Game 4, when the Lakers blew a 24-point lead and eventually lost. Los Angeles jumped out to a 17-point lead at the end of the first, but the second quarter was a disaster for the Lakers, who were outscored 30-16 in the period.
After shooting 65 percent in the first quarter, Los Angeles shot 33 percent in the second. The Lakers committed 6 turnovers in the period as the Celtics cut a 17-point deficit to three. Paul Pierce had 16 points by himself in the second.
Plagued by foul trouble, Kevin Garnett played only 13 seconds in the second, picking up his third foul shortly after checking back into the game.
The Celtics took their first lead of the game on a Pierce free throw with 9:59 remaining in the third quarter, but the Lakers pushed the lead back up to nine points heading into the final period.
The fourth was a roller coaster, with the Celtics clawing back to tie the game at 90 with 4:35 to play. But Boston never could reclaim the lead in the final period as time ran out on the Celtics’ hope of clinching a championship on the road.
Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points and 8 assists. He was joined in double-figures by Ray Allen (16 points) and Kevin Garnett (13 points, 14 rebounds).
Kobe Bryant (25 points) was his usual self, but he had help from Lamar Odom (20 points) and Pau Gasol (19 points). The Lakers shot 46 percent in the game.
We’re heading back to Boston, but not before we get some postgame reaction, as well as video, from Game 5. Stay tuned.
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