Projo Sports Blog

BOSTON -- After trailing the entire second half, Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant sank back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 96-96 with 3:23 remaining in the game.

So of course, the Celtics went to their superstar, Paul Pierce, to answer, and he did when he got fouled on a drive to the basket.

Pierce sank two free throws amidst "MVP" chants, and after a defensive stop, Pierce sank a 20-foot jumper with 2:25 to go to make it 100-96.

Los Angeles's other star, Pau Gasol, answered with a jumper, to cut it to two, and after Los Angeles stop, Bryant buried another 3-pointer to give the Lakers their first lead of the second half, 101-100, with 1:30 remaining in the game.

A poor shot by the Celtics gave the Lakers the ball back, but Boston forced a 24 second shot clock violation on the Lakers' ensuing possession with 46.4 seconds left.

On their second consecutive possession, the Celtics, surprisingly, went to Glen Davis who missed on both occasions, but this time the Celtics got the rebound and Pierce was fouled on a drive to the hoop with 29.7 left.

Pierce only hit one of the two free throws, however, to tie the game.

Everyone in the building knew that Bryant was going to take the final shot for the Lakers. Pierce forced him into a bad shot and he missed. Boston got the rebound with 7.7 seconds left and called a timeout to draw up the potential game-winning shot.

The Celtics got the ball to Eddie House, but his shot at the buzzer missed its mark and the game went into overtime.

 Tags  Boston Celtics Rob Lee Robert Lee

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