Los Angeles Lakers Put Away Boston Celtics In Overtime, 88-87

Lakers Vs. Celtics Final Score: Los Angeles Prevails In Overtime, 88-87

The Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers rivalry got one of its more defense-heavy chapters on Thursday night at the TD Garden in Boston. It was fitting, then, that a defensive play gave Los Angeles the victory in overtime: after a Paul Pierce miss, Pau Gasol blocked a Ray Allen attempt at a buzzer-beater to preserve the Lakers' 88-87 win.

Gasol gave the Lakers a great night, with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and combined with Kobe Bryant (27 points, leading all scorers) and Andrew Bynum (16 points, 15 rebounds) to score 68 of Los Angeles' 88 points on the night. Bynum tipped in a Bryant miss for the game-winning basket with 1:29 left in overtime.

The Celtics were similarly reliant on their "Big Four": Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen combined for 66 of Boston's 67 points on the night.

Neither team topped 23 points in a quarter after Boston opened with 26 in the first period.

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ANIMATED: Mike Brown Gives Andrew Bynum A Kiss On The Forehead

Sure, why not. This just seemed like a giffable moment, for whatever reason.

#Coaching!

Lakers Vs. Celtics: Los Angeles Takes Lead Entering Fourth Quarter

After trailing for most of the game, the Los Angeles Lakers have clawed back to take a three-point lead over the Boston Celtics entering the fourth quarter of tonight's game at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Down 64-59 with 2:40 to play in the quarter, Pau Gasol hit a 14-foot jumper and added a free throw to cut to the Celtic's lead to two points. Kobe Bryant tied the score on the next possession and after a Ray Allen miss, Bryant gave the Lakers a two-point lead with 1:34 to play in the quarter. Center Andrew Bynum added a free throw to extend the lead to three points.

Bryant has a game-high 23 points and Gasol has added 21 points to go along with eight rebounds. Bynum has 10 points and a game-high 12 boards. For the Celtics, Allen has 19 points and Rajon Rondo has added 12 points.

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ANIMATED: Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo Pay Tribute To The Patriots

Lakers Vs. Celtics: Celtics Lead By Two At Halftime

Ray Allen has 12 points on five-of-11 shooting as the Boston Celtics cling to a 47-45 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers at halftime of tonight's game at the TD Garden in Boston.

Forward Kevin Garnett has eight points and Paul Pierce has seven points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Celtics, who have also gotten six points each from point guard Rajon Rondo and reserve forwards Mickael Pietrus and Brandon Bass.

Boston led by four points after the first quarter, but the Lakers stormed back, briefly taking the lead with 3:35 to play in the half. The Celtics would answer quickly with buckets from Pierce and Bass.

Pau Gasol leads the Lakers with 12 points on six-of-11 shooting, while Kobe Bryant has 11 points to go along with his team-high three assists. Center Andrew Bynum is working towards a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds at the half. Three of Bynum's rebounds have come on the offensive glass, including one that resulted in a three-point play with one second remaining in the half.

Video of Bynum's awkward buzzer-beater:

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Your Craig Sager Suit Watch For The Night

Lakers Vs. Celtics: Celtics Lead By Four After First Quarter

Paul Pierce has five points, a team-high four rebounds and a pair of assists as the Boston Celtics have opened up a four-point lead over the Los Angeles Lakers after the first quarter of tonight's game at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics have also gotten five points from guard Ray Allen and forwards Mickael Pietrus and Brandon Bass have combined for 10 points off the bench, including six from Pietrus on two-of-three shooting from beyond the arc.

A one-point game midway through the first quarter, the Celtics opened up a nine-point lead on three free throws by Pierce, a three-pointer by Pietrus and a layup by Rajon Rondo. The Lakers responded with an 8-3 run in the final 1:31 of the quarter.

Kobe Bryant has a game-high seven points, with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum chipping in with six points apiece.

For more on the C's, visit SB Nation Boston and CelticsBlog. For more on the Lakers, visit SB Nation L.A. and Silver Screen And Roll.

Lakers Vs. Celtics: (Literally) Old Rivals Seek A Precious Win

The L.A. Lakers are looking to pick up a win on the road against the Boston Celtics on Thursday.