Boston set for classic battle in LA



The Boston Celtics will close out a four-game road trip tonight with a classic showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Boston is 3-0 so far on the trip and has won five straight overall, including Saturday's 104-98 victory over the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Paul Pierce scored four straight points to break a late tie and finished with a game-high 24 for the Celtics, who improved their NBA-best record to 25-3.

Ray Allen had 23 points and Kevin Garnett contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, as Boston used a big 21-8 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters before holding off a late Utah charge. The Celtics, who are 11-2 as the guest this season, have won seven in a row on the road.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will continue a five-game homestand and are 11-4 at the Staples Center this season.

Los Angeles is 2-0 so far on the stand and posted its fourth straight win overall with Friday's 123-109 victory over the Jazz. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and helped give Lakers head coach Phil Jackson his 938th career win.

Lamar Odom had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Los Angeles Lakers, who exploded for 75 first-half points and held a lead of 30-plus before resting the starters late in the game. Jordan Farmar scored 14 points, while young big man Andrew Bynum and Derek Fisher added 10 points apiece for LA.

The Los Angeles Lakers have won five straight as the host, and will also welcome Philadelphia and Indiana to town on the current homestand. In injury news for Los Angeles, forward Luke Walton (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Boston. Walton has missed the last three games.

Sunday's game between Boston and LA is the second and final matchup for the regular season. The Celtics notched a 107-94 win over the Lakers on November 23 this season at TD Banknorth Garden, but Los Angeles has won three of four and seven of the last 10 meetings.

Boston has lost four of its last five at the Los Angeles Lakers.

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