Sports, NBA, at Phila. Front Page News; Bryant leads Lakers to 87-81 win in Game 3
LOS ANGELES - No team in NBA playoff history has overcome an 0-3 deficit. Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant made sure the Lakers won't have to overcome that hurdle. Bryant poured in a game-high 36 points in leading the Lakers past Boston 87-81 in game three of the NBA Finals. That cuts Boston's lead to 2-to-1 with the home team winning every game so far.
Sasha Vujacic gave the Lakers a big lift off the bench with 20 points. Pau Gasol added 9 points and 12 rebounds.
Ray Allen led Boston with 25. Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 12 boards. Paul Pierce, who had been huge for Boston in its opening two wins, had a rough night. Pierce shot 2-for-12 and scored just six points.
After a day off, the series resumes Thursday night with game four in Los Angeles. The Lakers have not lost at home since March 29th.