Chalk this loss up to another slow start. After falling behind by 19 points in the 1st quarter, the Celtics rallied but never fully made it out of that hole. The play of the game came with :40 seconds left in the 4th, the Celtics down 2 with the ball – Kobe Bryant managed to poke the ball away from Paul Pierce (it was a blatant reach-in that went uncalled – hmmm, I wonder why Dick Bavetta didn't see it?) and score on a slam. The Lakers capitalized on the absence of Kendrick Perkins by outrebounding the Celtics. Pau Gasol (19 pts, 13 reb) and Lamar Odom (20 pts, 11 reb) both had big games in the paint. Let's just say this wasn't KG's best game. He battled foul trouble all night, and missed 3-out-of-4 free throws in the final 3 minutes. Paul Pierce (38 pts, 8 assists, 48 minutes) was magnificent. Let's hope he has some gas in the tank for Game 6 on Tuesday.
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