Lakers put an end to Celtics' winning streak
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Lakers point guard Derek Fisher avoids the trap of Celtics forward

Paul Pierce and guard Rajon Rondo with a mid-air pass on Thursday.

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Kobe Bryant (27 points),Shox R4 Pau Gasol (20 points, including seven in the

final three minutes) and solid defense lead the way in victory over

Boston, which had won 19 in a row.
By Broderick Turner
5:10 PM PST, December 25, 2008
It might not have been revenge, but for the Lakers and their adoring

and fanatic fans, it was sweet nonetheless.

And for Pau Gasol, who withered during the NBA Finals against Boston

and who was withering again in the first half against the Celtics this

afternoon, it was even sweeter.
Gasol's strong play in the fourth quarter pushed the Lakers to a 92-83

victory over the Celtics, breaking Boston's NBA-best 19-game winning

streak Thursday at Staples Center.

Gasol had nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including seven

in the final three minutes, doing so with drive and determination. He

also blocked two shots late in the game.

The Celtics defeated the Lakers last spring in the NBA Finals. They

dropped a 39-point loss on the Lakers Shox Disobeyin Game 6 in Boston, the second

-most lopsided game in a game-clinching contest in Finals history.

The Lakers blew a 24-point lead in Game 4 at home, allowing the

Celtics to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

This time, the Lakers built a 10-point lead on Christmas Day and held

on, thanks to Gasol.

His basket with 2:48 left broke a tie and gave the Lakers an 83-81

lead.

His floater over Kevin Garnett gave the Lakers an 85-81 lead with 2:00

left.

After Kevin Garnett (22 points, 9 rebounds) scored, Gasol came through

again for the Lakers.

His left-handed layup and free throw gave the Lakers an 88-83 lead

with 1:28 left.

Then Gasol stepped up on defense.

He blocked Ray Allen's three-point attempt and then blocked Paul

Pierce's three-point attempt.

Gasol and the rest of the Lakers began to Shox Gorejoice over their victory.

The Lakers and Celtics will meet again Feb. 5 in Boston.

Boston still has the best record in the NBA atShox Respond 27-3.

The Lakers have won three straight to improve to 24-5.

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