(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to knot the NBA Finals at two games apiece, as they welcome the Boston Celtics tonight to the Staples Center. After losing Games 1 and 2, the Lakers bounced back for a huge win at home. On Tuesday, Kobe Bryant poured in 36 points -- 10 in the fourth quarter -- as the Lakers continued their home court dominance with an 87-81 win over the Celtics in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series.

Sasha Vujacic provided a spark off the bench for the Lakers, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 from the field. Pau Gasol scored just nine points and Lamar Odom netted four in the victory.

Ray Allen was 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and scored 25 points to lead the Celtics. Kevin Garnett ended with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul Pierce finished with only six points on 2-of-14 from the floor in the loss.

The Celtics lost point guard Rajon Rondo for most of the third quarter and part of the fourth with a left ankle injury. Rondo did return in the fourth, and finished with eight points and four assists.

Rondo, who did not practice on Wednesday, is probable for tonight's contest. He is averaging 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and a team-best 6.9 assists in the playoffs.

Game 5 is scheduled for Sunday evening in LA. If the set goes to a sixth and seventh game, Boston would host those contests.

The Lakers are a perfect 9-0 at home and 4-5 as the visitor in the 2008 playoffs. They are one home victory short of the NBA playoff record for most consecutive home victories in a single postseason. The 1977 Trail Blazers, 1986 Celtics, 1987 Lakers, 1990 Pistons, 1996 Bulls and 1997 Jazz all won 10 straight in a single postseason.

Only three teams have ever comeback to win the NBA Finals after dropping Games 1 and 2. The 1969 Celtics, 1977 Trail Blazers and 2006 Heat all won the title after losing the first two contests.

Boston is 7-0 all-time when it wins the first two games in the NBA Finals, while the Lakers are 0-5 when they lose Games 1 and 2.

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.

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 12-1 at home and 2-8 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.



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