Lakers outlast Celtics in OT

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02/10/2012 - Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The battle between the Lakers and Celtics was fittingly decided in overtime, and it was Andrew Bynum's late tip-in that proved to be the difference in Los Angeles' 88-87 victory.

The Lakers have won six of seven against Boston at TD Garden, thanks in part to Kobe Bryant's 27 points and double-doubles by Bynum and Pau Gasol on Thursday.

Bynum totaled 16 points and 17 rebounds, while Gasol added 25 and 14, including a tip-in with 9.8 seconds left in regulation that tied things at 82.

The Celtics, who came in riding a five-game winning streak, failed to get a quality attempt off at the end of the fourth quarter, and missed four shots in the final 70 seconds of overtime.

Ray Allen paced Boston with 22 points and All-Star reserve Paul Pierce added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Garnett posted 12 points and 12 boards, but shot just 2-of-13 from the floor after halftime.

Rajon Rondo finished with 14 points and seven helpers, and his floater gave Boston a 79-77 lead with three minutes left in regulation.

Bynum countered with a three-point play, only to have Allen come off a baseline screen and nail one from three-point range with 1:08 on the clock.

After trading misses, Bryant was off on a fadeaway from the left side, but Gasol was there for the tying tip-in with 9.8 seconds showing.

Out of a timeout, Pierce dribbled down the final seconds and was hounded outside the arc before passing to Mickael Pietrus with two seconds left. Pietrus' off-balanced 31-footer was nowhere close to the rim as the buzzer sounded.

Pierce drained a three-pointer for an 87-86 lead with 1:51 left in the extra session, and that wound up being Boston's last basket.

Bynum tipped in another Bryant miss at the other end, and Garnett missed jumpers on the next two Celtics possessions. Bryant was off the mark again with 7.9 seconds to play to give the Celtics a chance, but Pierce's forced 18- footer drew iron. Allen was in position for a putback, but he short-armed his attempt.

The Celtics were ahead 26-22 after the first quarter and 47-45 at halftime. Bryant scored 12 in the third quarter to give LA a 67-64 advantage heading to the fourth.

Game Notes

The Celtics (17) and Lakers (16) have accounted for 33 of the 65 NBA championships...These two teams will meet again in Staples Center on March 11...The Lakers visit the Knicks on Friday before ending their six-game road trip on Sunday against the Raptors...The Lakers shot just 1-of-15 from three- point range, but won the battle on the glass, 55-45 and outscored the Celtics at the free throw line, 15-5.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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