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Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant’s 5 greatest games against the Boston Celtics

By Zain Danani

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 15, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright: 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 15, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright: 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – JANUARY 31: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 31, 2007 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers won 111-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – JANUARY 31: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 31, 2007 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers won 111-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5: January 31, 2007 – Lakers beat Celtics 111-98 at TD Garden

Despite the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is the greatest in NBA history, there were times when the competition between the two fell into a lull. A prime example of this would be the matchup between the two teams on January 31, 2007.

The Celtics were completely lost as they were the worst team in the Eastern Conference heading into the matchup. Additionally, the team had lost its superstar – Paul Pierce – for nearly half of the season as he was sidelined with an injury.

Similarly, the Lakers were nowhere near being an elite team. The team made the playoffs the previous year as a seventh seed but lost a 3-1 lead to the Phoenix Suns in the first round. Moreover, the team had failed to make the playoffs in the 2004-05 season and looked lost after Shaquille O’Neal‘s departure.

The Lakers, however, did have one bright spot during this time – Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba was coming off arguably his best individual season where he averaged over 35 points, had 21 40-point games, and the unforgettable 81-point game. Besides, Kobe had already had four 40-point and three 50-point games before he faced the Celtics.

In the lesser broadcasted matchup, Kobe had 43 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 52 percent from the floor and 77.8 percent from deep. Spectacularly, this was the ONLY performance where Kobe scored 40 points, shot above 50 percent, and beat the Celtics.

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