Celtics Vs. Lakers Score: Los Angeles Leads At Halftime

It’s been a bloody battle so far at the Staples Center, and the Lakers have the halftime lead. They can thank Kobe Bryant for that.

After two quarters, the score is Lakers 54, Celtics 50, and Bryant has 22 points to lead all scorers. He’s gotten his points efficiently, making eight of 11 shots and hitting five of six free throws, but he’s doing a lot of creating by himself and for himself. The Lakers have just seven assists to the Celtics’ 13.

The Celtics, meanwhile, have kept themselves in the game as Bryant heated up with their typical balance. Paul Pierce is the only Celtic in double figures — he has 16 points — but the Celtics have five players who have scored at least five points.

The Celtics’ front line has been able to win the rebounding tussle as well. The C’s have 22 rebounds to the Lakers’ 17, and Shaquille O’Neal has five to lead all players in that category.

The Lakers’ halftime lead could have been even bigger, but Glen Davis was fouled while taking a half-court heave and made two free throws to cut the Los Angeles lead to four.