Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Carried off the court with a sprained right knee in the third quarter, Paul Pierce became the inspirational leader down the stretch as the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 98-88, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Pierce left the game with under seven minutes remaining in the third after colliding with teammate Kendrick Perkins, but incredibly returned and had 19 of his 22 points in the final two quarters. That included back-to-back three- pointers that gave Boston the lead for good late in the third, on the way to the Celtics drawing first blood in the latest meeting of the storied rivals. After the game, Pierce said he was diagnosed with a strained meniscus, and it's not known if he'll be able to play in Game 2 Sunday at TD Banknorth Garden. Kevin Garnett totaled 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Ray Allen added 19 points and eight rebounds in the win. In the first Finals game for Boston's big three of Garnett, Pierce and Allen, the trio combined to shoot 21-of-45, carrying the offensive load in the team's first NBA Finals game since 1987 when the Celtics lost to the Lakers. Rajon Rondo had 15 points and seven assists. Perkins, who left with 6:19 remaining in the third, didn't return due to an ankle injury. Kobe Bryant, going after his fourth championship ring, had 24 points to pace the Lakers, who are in the their first NBA Finals since falling to Detroit in 2004. Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol both had 15 points for Los Angeles, which shot 5- of-20 from the field in the final quarter. Lamar Odom scored 14 in defeat. The Celtics, who are chasing a record 17th NBA championship, limited Bryant to 9-of-26 shooting from the field and outrebounded the Lakers, 46-33. HASH(0xa2a562c)