The Lakers only shot 39.7% from the floor last night while the Celtics shot 56.3% which explains the loss last night. Kobe Bryant tried to wll the Lakers to a win as he scored 38 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, had 1 steal and he had 1 blocked shot. Pau Gasol helped out with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals. Derek Fisher finished up with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal on 2 of 9 shooting from the floor in 34 minutes. The Lakers are now in deep trouble down 3-2 in the NBA Finals as it shifts back to L.A. for game #6 and maybe game #7.

The Lakers got outrebounded 41-34 last night but it wasn’t until the 4th quarter until this game was decided when the Celtics outscored the Lakers 36-27. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers last night with 33 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Pau Gasol also had a solid game with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots. Lamar Odom had to play 39 minutes last night and he finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. He had to play that many minutes because Andrew Bynum could only handle 12 minutes due to his bum knee. Bynum finished up with 2 points and 3 rebounds last night. The Lakers and Celtics are now tied at 2 games apiece in the NBA Finals.

The Lakers had a 17-point lead at one point last night but the Celtics didn’t give up cutting the lead to 1 point in the 4th quarter before the Lakers pulled away to get a huge win. The Lakers were tough under the basket as the outrebounded the Celtics 43-35 last night and it was a big key to the victory. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers last night with 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots. Derek Fisher was making huge shot after huge shot in the 4th quarter last night as he finished up with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Pau Gasol was tough around the basket as usual with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots. Lamar Odom pitched in with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 28 minutes off the bench. The Lakers are now up 2-1 in this series.

The Celtics wanted this game more than the Lakers did as they outscored them 31-22 in the 4th quarter. Pau Gasol did his part as he finished up with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 6 blocked shots. Andrew Bynum also had a great game with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Kobe Bryant also was busy with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. The Lakers are now tied up 1-1 with the next three games in Boston.

Don’t let the final score fool you as the Lakers pushed the Celtics around in this game. The Lakers outrebounded them 42-31 and they were ahead 84-64 after the first three quarters which helps explain the ease of the win last night. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Pau Gasol was the man though for the Lakers last night as he had 23 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocked shots. Ron Artest filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot in this game. Andrew Bynum pitched in with 10 points and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes on his bad wheel. The Lakers are up 1-0 in this series.