As I sat and watched the fourth quarter of the Boston Celtics playing the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at the “New Garden” I could not keep myself from thinking about the New England Patriots losing a game they should have won against the Indianapolis Colts late last year. It was a feeling of total frustration like watching a house set ablaze and being restrained from doing anything. The Celtics lost a game they should have won as Kobe Bryant buried a mid-range jumper with 7.3 seconds to play and pushed the Lakers past Boston 90-89.

“The Black Mamba” and Los Angeles center Andrew Bynum each scored 19 points to lead the team as Bynum  and Pau Gasol would each have a double-double in the victory. Rajon Rondo led all players as he also recorded a double-double and knocked down a game high 21 points in the loss. This was the third straight loss for Boston and they have now lost 6-8. The Celtics had the best record in the Association on Christmas Day at 23-5 and have gone 6-11 since losing to the Clippers on December 27, at the Staples Center.

In a lot of ways this was a game of extremes as teams went from unstoppable to clueless and back again at any time during the contest. Los Angeles would come out knocking down shots the entire period as Boston appeared to have left their offense in the locker room in the first. The Lakers would hold a 30-19 advantage at the end of the quarter. The Celtics then shook off their lethargy in the second and would head into the locker room at the half on top 52-47.

Neither club looked all that dynamic in the third however Boston was able to add onto their lead as the period came to an end with the Celtics ahead 73-66. Eddie House would put Boston on top 76-66 just 31 seconds into the fourth and the Celtics looked like they may have been on the verge of a rout. The Lakers though had other thoughts on the matter as they would finish the game on a 24-13 run to get the victory.

Andrew Bynum had a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 1 assist while Kobe Bryant put 19 points up, 6 assists and 3 rebounds. Pau Gasol had a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists while Ron Artest also had 11 points and 3 steals.

Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double with 21 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals while Paul Pierce scored 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Tony Allen came off the bench with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block while Kevin Garnett had 1o points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal. Los Angeles is now 37-11 and will play in Memphis Monday night taking on the Grizzlies while Boston is now 29-16 and will be in Washington D.C. facing the Wizards.

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