Celtics even the score 1-1
Ray Allen made a record 8 three pointers and scored a post-season high 32 points as the Boston Celtics win over the Los Angeles Lakers 103-94 to even their NBA finals series at one game each.
In the fourth quarter Rajon Rondo made 10 of his 19 points and also had a triple double with a game-high 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Celtics, who are in quest for their second championship title in three years.
Allen had a shooting display Thursday that was like of Michael Jordan’s superb performance in Game 1 of the 1992 finals against Portland when the former Chicago Bull had 6 in one half.
"I got a couple of threes early and nothing was rushed basically," said Allen who finished 8-of-11 from the arc. "I try not to turn down a shot when I am over it.
"But the ball it bounced more in our favor. We had more energy in this game (than game one). So there were a couple of threes that the ball kind of bounced funky and we ended up getting it."
Allen was in his happiest, "I was having that feeling of being a resilient team," he said. "When I got that three it was a sense of calmness and reward that I knew I had at that moment. It wasn’t a rushed feeling it was just good basketball."
Rondo, the shortest of all five Celtic starters at 6ft 1in, he ran the offense and made some major free throws down the stretch.
The series now transfers to Boston for Tuesday’s Game 3. Games 4 and 5 will also be in Boston.
Pau Gasol made 25 points and 8 rebounds and Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant each scored 21 points for the defending champion Lakers who encountered their first loss at home in the playoffs after 9 straight wins.
Bryant, foul trouble for most of the fouth quarter with 5, also had 6 assists and 5 rebounds but committed 5 turnovers.
"It is a disappointing loss," Gasol said. "We just couldn’t convert at the end and they took advantage. They took their time and converted."
What others are also reading:
- Smith’s 4th quarter helps Nuggets top Celtics
- Yap fights despite distractions, awarded Player of the Week
- Purefoods sweeps Alaska to take 8th overall title
- Allen Iverson's wife files for divorce
