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Down, Not Out: Lakers keep season alive, beat Celtics 103-98 in Game 5 in NBA finals

By TOM WITHERS | Associated Press | Jun 15, 08 11:10 PM CDT in Sports 

Pack up the championship trophy and book a flight back to Boston, the NBA finals aren't over yet.

Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom reacts in the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, June 15, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt York)   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant, front, dribbles away from Boston Celtics forward P.J. Brown in the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 15, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16), of Spain, shoots around Boston Celtics forward P.J. Brown (93) and Kevin Garnett in the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 15, 2008,...   (Associated Press)
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The Los Angeles Lakers are headed East to try a historic comeback of their own.

Kobe Bryant scored 25 points, including a decisive dunk in the final minute _ and Lamar Odom added 20 as the Lakers, playing with pride on their star-studded stage, prevented the Celtics from winning a 17th title with a 103-98 win in Game 5 on Sunday night to close to 3-2 in this restored rivalry.

No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win a title. The first 28 failed, and now the Lakers, who blew a 24-point lead and lost Game 4 and nearly squandered a 19-point lead in Game 5, have a chance to do something extraordinary.

They'll have to win on the Celtics' parquet floor Tuesday night to force a winner-take-all Game 7, where anything is possible.

Especially with Bryant, the game's best player, on hand.

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