A decisive basket from superstar Kobe Bryant gave the LA Lakers a 90-89 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Bryant, who had 19 points in the game, scored with 7.3 seconds left; Boston was unable to retaliate, adding a sixth straight loss in eight games. Despite his winning shot, Bryant only scored 8 of 29 shots in the game and complained of discomfort in his ankle several times while at the Boston Garden.

During the first minutes both teams exchanged baskets, until minute 7, when the Lakers began a 17-6 run thanks to great shooting from Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. The Lakers gained a 12-point lead, 26-14. Ray Allen tried to respond for the Celtics, but the team ended up behind in the first quarter, 30-11.

The tempo continued in the initial minutes of the second quarter, with the Lakers adding baskets. However, Rajon Rondo scored for Boston and managed to cut the scoring to four points, 35-31, with 8:51 left. Lamar Odom then scored a three-pointer to extend the Lakers’ lead again, but a great 15-0 run from the Celtics starters gave them a chance to surpass the Lakers in scoring and take the lead, 49-40, with 3:12 left. At the end of the quarter, the Lakers managed to cut the score a bit, but the Celtics still finished on top, 52-47.

Boston kept its lead in the third with shooting from Rondo and Paul Pierce in the first 3 minutes of the quarter. However, an 8-0 run from the Lakers brought the game to a tie, 58-58, with 7:36 left. The basket exchange resumed, but the Celtics were more effective, ending the third quarter with the lead, 73-66.

In the beginning of the last quarter, Boston had an 8-4 run that extended its lead to 11 points with 9:17 left in the game. But LA reacted with a 14-5 run that cut the score to two points, 86-84. Even then, the Celtics maintained an advantage, until Pierce committed an offensive foul with 28 seconds left, pushing a rival as he advanced to the basket. Lakers coach Phil Jackson called for a timeout and made a play for Kobe.

With only 7.3 seconds left, Bryant made a move, escaping Ray Allen and scoring a basket. The Lakers won the game, 90-89.

Jackson admitted that, in those final seconds, he had been worried about who would attempt the last shot. Kobe was, after all, having a bad night. But Bryant got his chance, and the choice brought the Lakers victory.

"[Bryant] had a couple looks before that and we were mystified he couldn't put it in. He was going to drop it in,” said Phil Jackson, confidence renewed.

The best scorers for the Lakers were Kobe Bryant with 19 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds; Andrew Bynum with 19 points and 11 rebounds; Pau Gasol with 11 points and 11 rebounds; and ultimately Ron Artest with 11 points. For the Boston Celtics the best scorers were Rajon Rondo with 21 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds; Paul Pierce with 15 points and 3 rebounds; Tony Allen with 14 points and 3 rebounds; and finally Kevin Garnett with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.

About the Author

Ally White has been a prominent writer on daily NBA games; sports news and the sportsbetting industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.