BOSTON – Perhaps the buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner the Lakers had at their team hotel Thursday night weighed them down. They came slow at both ends, letting the Boston Celtics do whatever they wanted in the early going en route to easy victory Friday night.

The Lakers shot 5 of 20 from the field in the first quarter (25 percent), with Andrew Bynum missing all three of his shots and Lamar Odom missing both of his. The Lakers trailed, 25-16, after one period and never seriously threatened.

Boston’s new hand of three kings managed to produce despite unimpressive shooting. Kevin Garnett had 21 points, Paul Pierce had 20 and Ray Allen had 18. Kobe Bryant had 28 points on 9-of-21 shooting.

NOTES

Trevor Ariza, who wore No. 1 in Orlando, is wearing No. 3 with the Lakers; Javaris Crittenton has No. 1. … Ronny Turiaf, recovered from his ankle sprain, returned to the starting power-forward position over Vladimir Radmanovic. … Chris Mihm (no points in 13 minutes) had another feeble outing, showing how much the Lakers miss Kwame Brown.

RIVALRY REVIVED?

The Celtics gave out gray T-shirts with “BEAT LA” on the front.

MARIA WHO?

After Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, was introduced on the TD Banknorth Garden video monitor, his wife (Maria Shriver) was introduced, much to her surprise, as “Maria Schwarzenegger.”

HANDS UP

With 10:12 to play and the Lakers trying to put together a rally with the score at 87-71, Jordan Farmar’s behind-the-back pass hit Bynum in the stomach area – his hands not extended – and bounced out of bounds.

NEXT

New Jersey at Lakers, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, FSN, KLAC/570

Posted in: 2007-08 • Game reports |

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