Lakers rout Celtics to force game seven

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Pau Gasol scored 17 points as the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Boston Celtics 89-67 Tuesday to force a game seven in the 2010 NBA finals.

Forward Ron Artest finished with 15 points for the Lakers who were facing elimination for the first time in the best-of-seven series after losing back-to-back games in the Boston Garden arena.

Forward Lamar Odom and guard Sasha Vujacic helped pace the Laker attack by combining to score 17 points off the bench as Los Angeles improved to 10-1 in the post-season at home.

On Thursday, the Lakers will also host game seven, marking just the third time in the last 16 years that the championship series has gone seven games.

Source: Inquirer