Halftime: Celtics 53, Lakers 48

The Boston Celtics came out smoking tonight in the first half. They made 13 of their first 20 shots (65 percent) and hit 22 of 40 by halftime (55 percent). The Lakers couldn't keep pace, hitting ly 18 of 42 in the first half (42.9 percent). Ron Artest led the Lakers with 12 points in the first half and Pau Gasol had 10. Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum added eight apiece. Ray Allen had 12 to lead the Celtics. The Lakers played their fifth consecutive game without Kobe Bryant, who has a strained tendon in his left ankle. They were 4-0 in the first four.