Lakers and Celtics ready for Game 6 tip-off
Kobe Bryant just hit another three-pointer, bringing his total to 11 points and giving the Lakers a 13-12 lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter.
The Celtics have only made three of their first 14 shots, but are close because of four Lakers turnovers, three from Pau Gasol.
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Similar to Game 5, Kobe Bryant starts out hot from the floor.
He hits a long jumper and two three-pointers, staking the Lakers to a 10-8 lead over the Celtics with 8:08 to go in the first quarter.
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The Celtics made the cross-country flight back to Boston. So did the Lakers. So did the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy.
The Lakers will resume their effort tonight of trying to become the first team to ever come back and win a series when down 3-1 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, Boston, in the comfort of home at the TD Banknorth Garden, again have the chance to lay claim to their 17th NBA championship. They lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2.
Ray Allen will play tonight after leaving hurriedly from Staples Center to attend to a personal issue. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins is playing after missing Game 5 with a strained shoulder.
Perkins estimated his shoulder is only at 65%, but also noted, "We in the Finals, baby."
To win, the Lakers will once again need big games from their frontline of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. They start, along with Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Vladimir Radmanovic.
The Celtics will start Perkins and Allen, along with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, who has seen his minutes limited because Celtics Coach Doc Rivers says he needs to be more aggressive.
The Celtics are 12-1 this postseason at home. To win an NBA title, the Lakers would have to triple their loss total in two games.
