Lakers / Celtics 2007-08

Paul Pierce, being intentionally fouled by Kobe Bryant, had 20 points in the Nov. 23 victory over the Lakers.  (Elsa / Getty Images)

Just two games after suffering their first loss of the young season, Kevin Garnett (21 points) and Paul Pierce (20 points) rejoiced in the Celtics’ 107-94 victory over the Lakers on Nov. 23 at Boston.  (Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)

After scoring only four points in the first meeting, Lamar Odom had 14 points in the rematch with Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics on Dec. 30. Garnett had 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.  (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant had 22 points in the Celtics rematch on Dec. 30, making only six of 25 shots.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The most damage that Andrew Bynum did in the two early season games against the Celtics was strike Boston’s Kevin Garnett in the head on this layup. Bynum had as many points (four) as fouls in the Nov. 23 game and fouled out of the Dec. 30 game with eight points and two rebounds in 22 minutes.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Donning a bandage on his head after taking an Andrew Bynum elbow caught him, Kevin Garnett went on to score 22 points, take 12 rebounds and dish six assists in the 110-91 victory on Dec. 30 at Staples Center.   (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Center Kwame Brown was traded to Memphis so the Lakers could acquire Pau Gasol. But Boston’s Tony Allen, who scored 16 points in the Dec. 30 victory over the Lakers, is a reliable reserve for the Celtics.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Point guard Jordan Farmar scores two of his nine points on a breakaway layup during the Dec. 30 loss to the Celtics. Farmar was only three of nine shooting in the game.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Trevor Ariza of the Lakers and James Posey of the Celtics are key reserves because of their defensive play. Ariza, who just returned last series from injury, came up with this loose ball and fed Jordan Farmar for a breakaway layup in the Dec. 30 loss to Boston.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Paul Pierce had another big game for Boston in the Dec. 30 rematch, scoring a game-high 33 points. He forced Lakers forward Luke Walton into a turnover on this play.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guards Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant couldn’t do much to prevent Boston from taking a 110-91 victory at the Staples Center on Dec. 30. But the teammates with three championship rings also have a few new teammates that have blended well in 2008 and helped the team reach the NBA Finals.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant never found his offensive rhythm in the Dec. 30 loss to Tony Allen and the Boston Celtics. “I had good looks,” Bryant said after the game. “I just missed them. You are going to have nights when you can’t put the ball in the ocean sitting on a boat. You just move on to the next one.”   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)