Fri Jun 13 00:01:56 2008

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Incredible comeback has Celtics on brink of title

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Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics used their defense to generate one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history and now stand one win from their first championship since 1986.

Paul Pierce scored 20 points as the Celtics rallied from a 24-point first-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 97-91, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Boston's defense locked down on Kobe Bryant and outscored the Lakers, 57-33 in the second half.

The Celtics, trying for their record 17th championship, lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1, by virtue of just their third road victory in this year's playoffs.

Kevin Garnett added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen made a huge contribution with 19 points and nine rebounds. James Posey scored 18, which included a big three-pointer in the final two minutes.

Bryant was limited to 17 points and 10 assists on 6-of-19 shooting for the Lakers, who were ahead by 20 halfway through the third before collapsing and watching their 15-game home winning streak come to a crashing halt. The Lakers had been 9-0 at the Staples Center in the playoffs, but suffered their first home defeat since March 28 to Memphis.

Game 5 is Sunday night, again at the Staples Center, and the Lakers are going to have to overcome incredible odds to win the series. The previous 28 teams that have gone up 3-1 have never lost an NBA Finals series.