The Boston Celtics rolled to a 98-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to win Game One of the NBA finals at Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden, opening another chapter in professional basketball’s most storied rivalry. Kevin Garnett (pictured above with the Lakers’ Pau Gasol), playing in his first NBA finals, had 24 points to lead the Celtics but it was captain Paul Pierce who turned the tide, scoring 15 third-quarter points after injuring his knee and leaving the court in a wheelchair. Boston had been given a scare in the third quarter when their leading scorer collided with a team-mate and crumpled to the floor clutching his right knee but Pierce made a dramatic return to finish with 22 points after scoring three in the opening half.

Passata la paura, Boston prende il volo. I Celtics vincono 98-88 gara 1 di finale Nba grazie al fantastico 3° quarto, da 15 punti, di Paul Pierce, rientrato dopo essere uscito a braccia con quello che si temeva poter essere un grave infortunio al ginocchio destro, rivelatosi poi uno stiramento. Ai Lakers non bastano i 24 punti di Kobe. Importante il dominio a rimbalzo dei biancoverdi: 46-33.