Kobe Bryant was impressed with the Los Angeles Lakers' 53-minute effort in last night's 110-109 overtime victory against the Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden.
The only player missing from Bryant's glowing flow of accolades was himself. After scoring a Madison Square Garden-record 61 points against the Knicks on Monday and 36 against Toronto on Wednesday, Bryant shot an uninspired 10-of-29 from the floor for 26 points against the Celts. The guard did hit 4-of-6 treys in the fourth quarter to salvage a modicum of self-satisfaction.
``I shot the ball like crap for three-and-a-half quarters,'' Bryant said. ``It's funny, but that's how the game goes. You miss 15-footers all night and suddenly you start knocking down 25-footers. That's what happened to me. I know when I have games like this from experience, down the stretch those long shots tend to fall and the easy ones don't.
``It's just weird, I don't know why that happens.''
The Lakers are now 2-0 against the team that humiliated them in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to clinch the title last June. Both victories were significant because they squelched extended winning streaks by the Celtics. The C's had won 19 in a row before losing 92-83 at Staples Center on Christmas. The Celts had won 12 straight before last night.
Bryant understands that besting the Celtics at the Garden on a frigid February night doesn't make up for last season, but he did realize a small sense of satisfaction.
``Just coming down the same streets and being in the same hotel, it all came back,'' Bryant said. ``I didn't get to sleep last night until about 6 o'clock this morning because I was up thinking about the game. I remember being in this position and thinking about my teammates. How would they respond and would they be ready?
``I was very pleased to see the effort and how much guys wanted it.''
Lakers coach Phil Jackson counts on Bryant to contain Celts point guard Rajon Rondo in these games. The two engaged in a lot of give-and-take that eventually got out of hand at 9:01 of the third quarter. Both players were issued technical fouls when it looked like their dispute would grow beyond verbal jabs.
``There was a little talking back and forth, a little bumping and hitting, and it was great,'' Bryant said. ``Bring it on, that's the statement I wanted to send, and if it was worth me getting a technical foul because of it so be it.''
- rthompson@bostonherald.com
