2008 NBA Finals: Game 1

With their crowd breaking into the familiar "Beat L.A." chants from the outset, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is introduced before Game 1 of the NBA finals against the Celtics in Boston, Thursday, June 5, 2008.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) and Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins go up for the tip-off to start Game 1. This is the 11th meeting in the Finals between the Celtics and Lakers, and the first since 1987.

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) soars for a dunk against Lakers forwards Pau Gasol (16) and Lamar Odom (7) during the first quarter. Garnett scored 24 points and 13 rebounds in the game.

Lakers forward Lamar Odom, left, tries to muscle past Celtics forward Leon Powe alongside Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf in the second quarter. Odom scored 14 points for the Lakers.

Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) dunks against the Celtics in the second quarter. Gasol had 15 points in the game.

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) chases the Celtics' Sam Cassell during the second quarter. After 16-year veteran Cassell came off Boston's bench and scored six quick points at the start of the second quarter, Lakers coach Phil Jackson switched Bryant onto the 38-year-old with the aching back and one of the few Celtics who knows his way around the Finals.

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) shoots against Celtics' Kevin Garnett (5) during the second quarter. Bryant led the Lakers with 24 points, but the regular-season MVP was just 9-of-26 from the field. The Lakers lead at halftime 51-46.

Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) is carried from the court by teammates Brian Scalabrine, back left, and Tony Allen, right, after an injury in the third quarter. With 6:49 left in the third quarter, Pierce was deep in the lane when teammate Kendrick Perkins crashed into him from behind, crumpling Boston's No. 34 to the court.

The Celtics' Ray Allen tries to pass around the Lakers' Sasha Vujacic (18) during the third quarter. Ray Allen, the third member of Boston's Big Three, added 19 points for the Celtics, who are chasing a 17th NBA championship.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson objects to a foul call on Luke Walton during the fourth quarter.

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce celebrates with fans as he leaves the court after the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 98-88 in Game 1 of the NBA finals in Boston, Thursday, June 5, 2008. Pierce finished with 22 points.