| |
|
Lakers come from behind to stun Celtics
By Nicholai R. Roska PhilBoxing.com Tue, 13 Mar 2012

LOS ANGELES -- When Ray Allen swished a 3-pointer off a Kevin Garnett assist with 2:41 left to play against the Lakers, the Celtics sat on what seemed like a comfortable 94-89 lead.
But as the guys in green found out bitterly, no lead -- large and small -- is ever safe against Kobe Bryant.
Bryant, now a Masked Mamba, engineered an 8-0 run the rest of the way as the Lakers came from behind to stun the shell-shocked Celtics, 97-94, before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center.
Ironically, it was the Celtics who early plotted a big comeback when they erased a 15-point deficit by shooting 13 of 16 2nd quarter field goals. But that rally proved unsustainable as the Celtics 38-of-83 filed goals (47 percent) while the Lakers converted 36-of-71 (50.7 percent).
The Lakers sank 8-of-16 triples while the Celtics went only 6-of-17 beyond the arc. Boston had more assists 33-25, but the Lakers enjoyed a sizeable 42-34 rebounding edge.
It was thrilling game, one that saw 14 lead changes and 11 deadlocks. In the end, it boiled down to one team playing extremely better in the crunch.
"They made shots down the stretch and we didn't," said Celtics All-Star Rajon Rondo, who finished with 24 points and 10 assists. "We had some good looks at the rim, but shots didn't fall and we couldn't get a stop."
Bryant, who played for 42 minutes, led the Lakers with 27 points and 7 assists while Andrew Bynum bored through the paint with 14 rebounds and 20 points, including a nifty bucket in the final 15.5 seconds which gave the Lakers a 97-94 bulge.
Pau Gasol had another workmanlike performance with 13 points and 13 rebounds while the Artest now known as Metta World Peace made his presence felt with 14 points capped by three 3s.
All five Celtic starters ended up with double figures in points with Allen having 17, Brandon Bass with 15, Garnett 14 and Pierce 13. (NRR)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025"Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10 By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 2: 1908 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, ENGLAND By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025FRANCISCO VERON DOMINATES ROIMAN VILLA IN MAIN EVENT OF PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Lining enters Round of 32 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025The Ring IV: Night of Champions Set to Ignite Riyadh Saturday By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Final list of candidates announced for elections at World Boxing Congress 2025 , Sat, 22 Nov 2025RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 21 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS , Fri, 21 Nov 2025JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025QUOTES FROM MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS LOS ANGELES OPEN WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB AND LAS VEGAS OPEN WORKOUT AHEAD OF NOV. 29 FIGHT NIGHT AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Super Featherweight Sluggers ‘Tsendy’ Erdenebat and Abraham Montoya Agree to Meet in Short-Notice Co-Featured Bout on Proboxtv’s Friday Night Fights , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Cartagenas, Yu top 4th DCHS Fun Run By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced , Wed, 19 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|