Lakers win the series-opener

Los Angeles: Old rivals facing off against each other in the 2010 NBA Finals, the L.A Lakers have made a strong statement by winning the first game and taking a lead in the playoffs.

Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Lakers overpowered the Celtics to grab a series-opening victory. The final points were 102-89.

Bryant had a game-high 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He has now scored 30-plus in 10 of his last 11 contests. Pau Gasol had a terrific all-around performance with 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Ron Artest chipped in with 15.

Though Celtics managed to come back in the final quarter but it was too late. The Celtics scored 25 points in the final draw with Lakers scoring just 18 points but holding on with their earlier advantage.

The Lakers scored maximum in the third quarter with 35 points with Celtics managing to get just 23 points.

The Lakers were leading the Celtics at the end of the third quarter at 84-64 but Boston Celtics is rallying back in the game.

The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers involves many stories in the National Basketball Association(NBA) history.

The rivalry is considered to be a blockbuster script in the Los Angeles, a great American novel.

The rivalry had been less intense since the retirements of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the early 1990s, but in 2008 it was renewed as the Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals for the first time since 1987.

Kobe Bryant and his team Lakers seek for their 5th Championship as the Lakers face off with Boston Celtics. LA Lakers made it to the finals beating the Suns 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals to set a rematch of the 2008 Champion Boston Celtics that overthrew Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference.

Many media houses are now comparing Bryant with Micheal Jordan in the playoffs. But many believe that Bryant is better against the tightfisted Celtics defense.

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