Tough Lakers beat Boston in finals opener
Published:Friday | June 4, 2010 | 12:45 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers showed they were ready to withstand rough Boston Celtics tactics by beating them 102-89 in last night’s opening game of the NBA finals series.
Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol had 23 points and 14 rebounds to give the Lakers the 1-0 series advantage in the 12th finals series clash between the two teams.
Ron Artest scored 15 points after tumbling to the ground in a tangle with Paul Pierce in the opening minute.
Bryant and Gasol then led a gritty physical effort against the Celtics, who memorably pushed around the Lakers while winning their 2008 finals matchup in six games.
Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett added 16 after a slow start for the Celtics. Ray Allen scored 12 points in just 27 minutes, saddled with constant foul trouble while trying to guard Bryant.
Game 2 will play on Sunday also in Los Angeles.