Backup Glen “Big Baby” Davis scored half of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Celtics bench as Boston pulled away from the Los Angeles Lakers to win 96-89 on Thursday night and even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Ventre: The last time these fierce rivals met in the NBA finals, the Celtics bullied Pau Gasol and the Lakers into submission. This time around, Los Angeles' refined forward would have none of it as the Lakers pounded their way to a 102-89 win in Game 1.
Washington Post: Kevin Garnett, healthier than he's been in a year, gives the Celtics the emotional leader they were missing a year ago as they prepare for a return to the Eastern Conference finals against the Magic.
Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett had 20 and the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff berth with a 113-99 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
