LAKERS 91 BOSTON 84

Reporting from Boston -- Paul Pierce was wrong. The Boston Celtics weren't going to win the NBA Finals amid a blizzard of green and white confetti … if at all.

The Lakers made sure of it Tuesday with a pointed defensive declaration in Game 3, beating back Boston in a 91-84 victory with unlikely star Derek Fisher, a stunning reversal by Game 2 protagonist Ray Allen and, near the end, a rare smile from Kobe Bryant, as telling a sign as any that the series had tilted in the Lakers' direction.

The noise level at TD Garden was nonexistent, if that's ever possible, after the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 on Thursday and Game 5 on Sunday are also in Boston, but the Lakers regained home-court advantage despite Pierce's late proclamation in Game 2 that the Celtics "ain't coming back to L.A."Of course, the Lakers could now finish the series in Boston, but that's another story for a different day.

There's also a stat Lakers followers can tuck in next to them at night: Since the Finals went to the 2-3-2 format 25 years ago, the Game 3 winner has taken the championship 10 out of 10 times when the series was tied at 1-1.

Fisher had 11 fourth-quarter points, including the play of the season for the Lakers, taking a defensive rebound, dribbling past a sleepy Celtics defense and getting fouled after making a layup. He made the free throw, giving the Lakers an 87-80 lead with 48.3 seconds to play on their way to their first playoff victory in Boston since Magic Johnson's "junior skyhook" in 1987.

The series was suddenly in the Lakers' control, the play leading to a quick celebration from Bryant, an all-business type these days. There was also an emotional catch in Fisher's voice in a TV interview immediately after the game. CONTINUE READING...

Said Fisher, a while later: "I love what I do and I love helping my team win."