THE LA LAKERS will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs after ousting the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 on Saturday.
Pau Gasol had 23 points, 17 rebounds and six assists in the 96-87 victory while Metta World Peace added 15 points on his return from a seven-game suspension.
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The Lakers almost blew a 16-point lead in the second half to lead by just a point at the last break and were in danger of becoming just the ninth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead.
Ty Lawson and Al Harrington each had 24 points for the Nuggets who paid dearly for their 19 turnovers and wayward shooting in the fourth quarter.
The Boston Celtics started their Eastern Conference semi-final with the Philadelphia 76ers in fine form with a 92-91 win in the opener at TD Garden.
Kevin Garnett had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics who went on a rampage with 23 of the next 30 points after the Sixers had led 77-67 with 11 minutes to play.
Rajon Rondo, who had 17 assists, 13 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth career playoff triple-double, scored a jumper to cut the lead and another with less than four minutes left to put Boston into an 81-80 lead.
The Sixers had advanced to the second round of the play-offs for the first time since 2003 after beating top seed Chicago, but could not hang on late as Andre Iguodala led the side with 19 points.
Game 2 is in Boston on Monday while the Lakers face the second-seeded Thunder in Game 1 on Monday.
NBA wrap: Lakers hang on to beat the Nuggets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q9IO69K65E
YouTube Credit: NBAvideos116
THE LA LAKERS will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs after ousting the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 on Saturday.
Pau Gasol had 23 points, 17 rebounds and six assists in the 96-87 victory while Metta World Peace added 15 points on his return from a seven-game suspension.
The Lakers almost blew a 16-point lead in the second half to lead by just a point at the last break and were in danger of becoming just the ninth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead.
Ty Lawson and Al Harrington each had 24 points for the Nuggets who paid dearly for their 19 turnovers and wayward shooting in the fourth quarter.
YouTube Credit: OllieKnight9
The Boston Celtics started their Eastern Conference semi-final with the Philadelphia 76ers in fine form with a 92-91 win in the opener at TD Garden.
Kevin Garnett had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics who went on a rampage with 23 of the next 30 points after the Sixers had led 77-67 with 11 minutes to play.
Rajon Rondo, who had 17 assists, 13 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth career playoff triple-double, scored a jumper to cut the lead and another with less than four minutes left to put Boston into an 81-80 lead.
The Sixers had advanced to the second round of the play-offs for the first time since 2003 after beating top seed Chicago, but could not hang on late as Andre Iguodala led the side with 19 points.
Game 2 is in Boston on Monday while the Lakers face the second-seeded Thunder in Game 1 on Monday.
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Ballin' Basketball Boston Celtics Denver Nuggets Kevin Garnett LA Lakers NBA NBA Playoffs Pau Gasol Philadelphia 76ers