The Celtics rode a big fourth quarter to a 109-96 grudge match win over the Lakers yesterday in Los Angeles.
L.A. got on a roll toward the end of the first half yesterday, but Boston put it away with a 32-24 final stanza. Nothing seemed to go wrong for the C’s in the fourth — just as everything was falling apart for the Lakers.
Paul Pierce led Boston (36-11) with 32 points and five rebounds. Kevin Garnett posted an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Rajon Rondo chipped in with 10 points and 16 assists.
Kobe Bryant netted 41 points for Los Angeles (33-15), but no other Lakers starters were terribly effective. Lamar Odom scored 15 off the bench.
