BOSTON - Ray Allen helped the Boston Celtics get off to a hot start and build an early lead, but the Los Angeles Lakers battled back to cut the C's lead to 47-45 at halftime of the two team's nationally televised affair on Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston, MA.
Allen scored a game-high 12 points in the opening half to lead Boston, which shot 44 percent from the field. Paul Pierce finished the half with seven points and Kevin Garnett chipped in with eight points and four rebounds. Rajon Rondo had no problem getting to the hoop and totaled six points and four assists in the first half for Boston.
Kobe Bryant rebounded from a slow start to finish the half with 11 points. Andrew Bynum was a force, taking over the paint with little opposition, totaling nine points and nine rebounds. Pau Gasol had a team-best 12 points in the half for L.A., which shot 41 percent in the half.
For more Celtics and Lakers coverage, visit CelticsBlog and Silver Screen And Roll