Tue Jun 10 10:36:31 2008

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Celtics, Lakers resume NBA Finals in LA

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(Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics attempt to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals, as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Staples Center.

On Sunday, in what had been a blowout with under eight minutes remaining, the Celtics denied the Lakers one of the most incredible comebacks in playoff history, holding on for a 108-102 win at TD Banknorth Garden in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Paul Pierce showed little affects of a knee injury, scoring 28 points, including hitting two big free throws in the final minute for the Celtics, who nearly blew a 24-point lead in the fourth.

Leon Powe led a spirited effort from Boston's bench with a playoff career-best 21 points. Powe was 6-of-7 from the floor and 9-of-13 at the foul line. Kevin Garnett totaled 17 points and 14 rebounds in the win, while Ray Allen had 17 points and Rajon Rondo finished with 16 assists for Boston.

MVP Kobe Bryant scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half for the Lakers, who also got 17 points and 10 rebounds from Pau Gasol. Vladimir Radmanovic ended with 13 points and 10 boards.

The opener was a very emotional contest. Carried off the court with a sprained right knee in the third quarter, Pierce became the inspirational leader down the stretch as the Celtics beat the Lakers, 98-88. Pierce left the game with under seven minutes remaining in the third after colliding with teammate Kendrick Perkins, but incredibly returned and had 19 of his 22 points in the final two quarters.

Boston's Sam Cassell (sprained right wrist) is questionable for Game 3. He is averaging 4.6 points per game in the playoffs.

Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday evening in LA. Game 5 (if necessary) will take place on Sunday at the Staples Center. If the set goes to a sixth and seventh game, Boston would host those contests.

Only three teams have ever comeback to win the NBA Finals after dropping Games 1 and 2. The 1969 Celtics, 1977 Trail Blazers and 2006 Heat all won the title after losing the first two contests.

Boston is 7-0 all-time when it wins the first two games in the NBA Finals, while the Lakers are 0-5 when they lose Games 1 and 2.

This is the 11th time these storied franchises will square off in the championship round. Boston has won eight of the 10 previous matchups in the finals. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984. However, LA has won the last two meetings as it beat Boston in six games in 1985 and 1987.

Boston, which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference, is appearing in the NBA Finals for the 20th time and has won 16 titles.

The Celtics are 12-1 at home and 2-7 on the road in this year's playoffs.

The Lakers are a perfect 8-0 at home and 4-5 as the visitor in the 2008 playoffs. They are two home victories short of the NBA playoff record for most consecutive home victories in a single postseason. The 1977 Trail Blazers, 1986 Celtics, 1987 Lakers, 1990 Pistons, 1996 Bulls and 1997 Jazz all won 10 straight in a single postseason.

The Lakers, who were the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, are appearing in the NBA Finals for the 23rd time since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1961. LA is 9-13 in the championship round and has an overall record of 59-67 in games played in the NBA Finals.

It is the 29th time in franchise history the Lakers have made it to the championship round, as they were 5-1 in this round as the Minneapolis Lakers.