The Los Angeles Lakers relied on the last-minute heroics of veteran point guard Derek Fisher to repulse theBoston Celtics on its home turf, 91-84, in Game Three of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals today.
With 45 seconds left in the game, the 6′0” Fisher converted on a strong fastbreak layup against the defense of 6′7” Glen Davis, 6′11” Kevin Garnett, and 6′4” Ray Allen to pull the Lakers away from the Celtics for good, 87-80.
The 14-year-pro standout likewise shone on the defensive end, guarding Allen for most of the game as the Celtic spitfire, who spewed 32 points in Game Two, was limited to only two points, shooting zero out of 13 from the field.
The game started with Garnett scoring six unanswered points in the first minute. However, the Lakers capitalized on the Celtics’ eight first-quarter fouls, which resulted in a free-throw shooting spree of nine-for-11 for the Lakers. Los Angeles led with a wide 26-17 margin in the first canto.
The Lakers then surged to a 37-20 lead in the early part of the second quarter as star player Kobe Bryantfired nine points in the period. The Lakers maintained a double-digit advantage, 52-40, at the end of the first half.
Boston stepped up on defense in the third canto, limiting the Los Angeles to only 15 points as the Lakers muffed 10 shots in the quarter. Bench player Tony Allen scored on three crucial layups at the latter part of the period, chopping Los Angeles’s lead to six, 61-67.
The green team continued its run at the start of the payoff period, with power forwards Garnett and Davis dominating the shaded lane. Davis scored eight points off power plays while Garnett scored his final six points as Boston crawled back, 80-82, coming into the last two minutes.
The Lakers, however, scored five straight points after the Celtics’ run, including a pull-up jumper from Bryant and Fisher’s lay-up, which resulted to a three-point play.
Bryant led the Lakers with an all-around game of 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks. Fisher added 16 points.
The Celtics were led by 2005 Most Valuable Player Garnett, who chalked in 25 points off a precise 11-for-16 shooting.
Los Angeles now leads the series, 2-1. Game Four is scheduled on Friday morning, Philippine time, at Boston.
The scores:
LOS ANGELES 91—Bryant 29, Fisher 16, Gasol 13, Odom 12, Bynum 9, Brown 4, Artest 2, Walton 2, Farmar 2, Vujacic 2
BOSTON 84—Garnett 25, Pierce 15, Davis 12, Rondo 11, T. Allen 7, Perkins 5, Robinson 5, Wallace 2, R. Allen 2
Quarter scores: 26-17, 52-40, 67-61, 91-84
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