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Lakers rally in fourth quarter to beat the Celtics, 101-92

Lakers forward Ryan Kelly tries to block a reverse layup by Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo in the first half Friday night at Staples Center.
Lakers forward Ryan Kelly tries to block a reverse layup by Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo in the first half Friday night at Staples Center.
(Michael Nelson / EPA)
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The Lakers overcame an 11-point third quarter deficit with a dominant fourth quarter to sweep the season series against the Boston Celtics with a 101-92 victory on Friday night at Staples Center.

Newcomers Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks sparked the fourth-quarter run, playing their first games with the Lakers since a Wednesday night trade sent Steve Blake to the Golden State Warriors and brought them to the Lakers.

Bazemore played more than 33 minutes and scored a career-high 15 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Brooks was also a force in the final quarter, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.

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Coach Mike D’Antoni stuck with Chris Kaman, Jordan Hill, Jordan Farmar, Bazemore and Brooks through the fourth as the Lakers outscored the Celtics, 38-18, in the quarter.

Jeff Green led the Celtics with 21 points. Brandon Bass added 20 for Boston, which shot only 39.2% from the field. Jared Sullinger and Gerald Wallace each scored 12 while Rajon Rondo dished 11 assists but finished with six points on 2-of-12 shooting. Sullinger had a double-double with 12 boards.

Pau Gasol, Jodie Meeks and Kaman led the Lakers with 16 points. Hill chipped in 10 points for L.A., which shot 48.2% from the field. Hill also collected 12 rebounds for a double-double.

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Kendall Marshall led the Lakers with eight assists and four turnovers. The Lakers survived 18 turnovers as a team while giving up 16 offensive rebounds to Boston. The Lakers had just nine.

The Lakers (19-36) host the Brooklyn Nets (25-27) on Sunday at Staples Center.

The Celtics (19-37) travel north to play the Sacramento Kings (18-36) on Saturday.

Celtics 74, Lakers 63 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers’ offense stalled in the third quarter, with the team scoring only 19 points while giving up 28 to Boston.

Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks have each scored 16 points but the Lakers are shooting only 40% from the field and have 15 turnovers.

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Boston has made only 41.1% of their shots from the field but hold an 11-5 advantage on the offensive glass.

Jeff Green has scored 16 points to lead the Celtics before picking up an early fourth foul, while Brandon Bass has chipped in 14.

Celtics 46, Lakers 44 (halftime)

The Lakers narrowed the deficit in the second quarter and only trail by two at the half.

Pau Gasol has scored 10 points in his return from a groin injury, Jodie Meeks has chipped in nine and newcomer Kent Bazemore scored seven.

Celtics forward Jeff Green didn’t score in the second quarter after having 11 points in the first. Boston has shot 44.4% from the field.

The Lakers are shooting 43.6% but have struggled with 10 turnovers.

Neither team had much luck from long range. The Lakers shot just 2 of 10 (20%) while Boston is only 2 of 11 (18.2%) from behind the three-point arc.

Celtics 28, Lakers 19 (end of first quarter)

New Lakers guards Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks made their debuts on Friday night after a trade Wednesday brought them to L.A. from the Golden State Warriors.

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Meanwhile, the Celtics built a nine-point lead after a quarter of basketball. Jeff Green led Boston with 11 points.

The Lakers shot only 35% from the field, with Pau Gasol and Kendall Marshall scoring five points apiece. Neither Bazemore nor Brooks scored in a few minutes of play, although Bazemore forced a Boston turnover by taking a charge.

The Celtics shot 48% from the field and had only two turnovers.

Pregame

The Lakers (18-36) look to end their four-game losing streak on Friday night, when they host the rival Boston Celtics (19-36) at Staples Center.

Like the Lakers, the Celtics have struggled this season, recently getting Rajon Rondo back from a knee injury.

The Lakers expect to have Pau Gasol in the lineup after he’s recovered from a groin injury, but the team will play without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (nerve root irritation), Nick Young (knee) and Xavier Henry (knee).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Boston Celtics.

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ALSO:

Pau Gasol remains with Lakers as NBA trade deadline passes

Kobe Bryant ‘not cool’ with Steve Blake trade to Golden State

Mitch Kupchak: ‘Unacceptable’ for Lakers to simply dump salary

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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