Celtics rally to stun Lakers, reach brink of NBA title

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Boston Celtics pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in National Basketball Association history, rallying from a 24-point hole Thursday to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 in the NBA Finals.

Paul Pierce scored 20 points and Ray Allen added 19 to spark an astonishing victory that put Boston ahead three games to one in the best-of-seven series, a lead no team in NBA Finals history has ever squandered to lose a title.

"We sucked it up," Pierce said. "I said, 'Don't look at the score. We just have to go out and compete and see where it is at the end of the day.' I know what it is to dig deep and get the win."

The Celtics would win their first championship since 1986, and stretch their record total to 17, with a victory in game five...