Celtics take 3-2 lead in NBA Finals
June 14, 2010 11:46:32 UK
Boston Celtics 92 Los Angeles Lakers 86Kobe Bryant's 38 points proved in vain as the Boston Celtics took a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven NBA finals series with the LA Lakers.
Paul Pierce top-scored for Boston with 27 as the Celtics won each of the first three periods.
Boston led 73-65 going into the final quarter and that proved too great a gap to make up as the home side moved to within one win of a record 18th NBA championship.
While Bryant was deadly at the hoop and pouring in the points for the visiting team, he received little support from his Lakers team-mates.
The Lakers guard scored 23 of his side's points in succession at one stage in the middle of the match.
Only Pau Gasol also scored into double figures for Los Angeles, contributing 12 points, along with grabbing 12 rebounds.
Celtics captain Pierce, though, was supported by Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, who scored 18 points each.
Ray Allen endured another frustrating night shooting from outside the arc and has still not netted a three-pointer since bagging an NBA record eight in game two. Allen finished with 12 points.
Boston had their noses in front from the opening quarter, establishing a 22-20 lead before extending their advantage to six points after the second.
That lead became eight points by the end of the third period and the Celtics closed out the win.
They will claim the NBA Championship if they win game six on Tuesday, with the Money Line showing the Celtics at 3.15, with the Lakers 1.38 to pick up the vital win.
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