LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers produced a sizzling, physical display at both ends of the court to overpower the Boston Celtics 102-89 in Game One of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
In a bruising contest at Staples Center, 12-times All-Star guard Bryant scored 30 points and Spanish forward Pau Gasol added 23 for the Lakers, chasing a second consecutive title and 16th overall.
Los Angeles, outplayed and outmuscled by Boston in the 2008 Finals, delivered one of their toughest performances of the season, out-rebounding their opponents 42-31 and sweeping the second-chance points 16-0.
Gasol contributed 14 rebounds and three blocked shots while forward Ron Artest, a formidable defender who joined the Lakers in the off-season, weighed in with 15 points.
The Lakers shot 48.7 percent from the floor while holding the Celtics to 43.3.
Boston captain and forward Paul Pierce finished with 24 points but guard Rajon Rondo was held to 13 points on six-for-14 shooting for the Celtics, who are bidding for a record 18th NBA championship.
Game Two in the best-of-seven series between the league’s most storied franchises takes place in Los Angeles tomorrow.
