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PLAYOFFS: Lakers win at home to keep the title series alive

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks the ball during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA finals in Los Angeles on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Kobe Bryant scored 25 points, including a decisive dunk in the final minute, and Lamar Odom added 20 as the Los Angeles Lakers prevented the Boston Celtics from winning a 17th title with a 103-98 win in Game 5 on Sunday that closed the series to 3-2 in this restored rivalry.

No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven finals to win a title. The first 28 failed and now the Lakers, who blew a 24-point lead and lost Game 4 and nearly squandered a 19-point lead in Game 5, have a chance to do something extraordinary.

They will have to win on the Celtics’ parquet floor today to force a winner-take-all Game 7, where anything is possible.

Especially with Bryant, the game’s best player, on hand. But the league’s MVP did not have to fly a solo mission to extend LA’s season for at least another game.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Odom had 11 rebounds and four blocks and Derek Fisher added 15 points.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points, Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 14 rebounds and Ray Allen had 16 points. But Boston’s “Big Three” could not close their first chance at winning it all and now will get two cracks at home to finish the job.

After scoring 15 points in the first quarter, Bryant went cold from the floor and finished just eight-of-21. But he made a big steal, poking the ball away from Paul Pierce and streaking down to deliver a dunk with 37.4 seconds left.

The Celtics called a timeout and the scoreboard in Staples Center flashed: “Not In Our House!”

Accused of being selfish and too tough on his not-as-talented teammates, Bryant can bow to the other Lakers for sending the series back across country.

Gasol, the Spanish center criticized for being pillowy soft, did not back down and was able to get Garnett into foul trouble.

But just as they did in Game 4, when they staged the biggest comeback in finals history, the Celtics pushed the Lakers to the brink of summer with another rally. This one fell a little short, but the outcome was still in doubt when Pierce, who grew up hating Boston like every other kid from LA, made two free throws with 1 minute, 14 seconds remaining to get the Celtics to 97-95.

Fisher then missed a jumper and the Celtics appeared to be in business when Pierce fought off two Lakers for a rebound. But as he dribbled toward the basket, Bryant reached around and knocked the ball away to Odom, who then fed Bryant for his slam.

But the Celtics would not go away.

After Bryant missed one of two free throws with 16 seconds left, Eddie House nailed a three-pointer to make it 101-98 with 14 seconds left. House then nearly stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but Bryant, sprawled out on the floor, got the ball to Fisher, who drew a desperation foul.

Fisher then made two free throws and stole Boston’s last pass as Lakers fans left the building dreaming of seeing another improbable comeback.
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