(Best E Casino) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to leave Beantown with a split, as they visit the Boston Celtics tonight at TD Banknorth Garden in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The opener proved to be a very emotional contest. 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 Lakers, 98-88.

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.

Pierce has a sprained/swollen right knee. He is probable for tonight's contest.

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. 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. He is probable for tonight's contest.

Each of the Big Three is appearing in the NBA Finals for the first time in their careers.

MVP Kobe Bryant, who is trying to win his fourth championship ring, finished with 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.

Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday evening in LA. Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) will take place at the Staples Center. If the set goes to a sixth and seventh game, Boston would host those contests.

This is the 11th time these storied franchises will square off in the championship round. Boston has won eight of the 10 previous matchups in the finals. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984. However, LA has won the last two meetings as it beat Boston in six games in 1985 and 1987.

The Celtics have lost in the championship round to the Lakers after capturing the opener, as they won Game 1 in the 1985 finals and went on to lose the series.

Boston, which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference, is appearing in the NBA Finals for the 20th time and has won 16 titles.

The Celtics are 11-1 at home and 2-7 on the road in this year's playoffs.

The Lakers, who were the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, are appearing in the NBA Finals for the 23rd time since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1961. LA is 9-13 in the championship round and has an overall record of 59-67 in games played in the NBA Finals.

It is the 29th time in franchise history the Lakers have made it to the championship round, as they were 5-1 in this round as the Minneapolis Lakers.

The Lakers are a perfect 8-0 at home and 4-4 as the visitor in the 2008 playoffs.