Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - March 11

(Basketball News) - Shaquille O’Neal poured in 28 points and pulled down 17 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics, 117-109, at the FleetCenter.

Gary Payton scored 20 points and Kobe Bryant collected 18 points and 10 assists for Los Angeles. Bryant, who was just 4-of-16 from the floor, returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained right shoulder. He got hurt during a game against Seattle on March 5 and was expected to be sidelined for four weeks.

Kareem Rush netted 17 points for the Lakers, who have won six of their last eight games. Los Angeles swept the two-game season series from Boston and has captured seven of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

Rush, who is averaging 7.2 points per game this season, has scored in double digits in four of his last six games. He has averaged 11.3 points in that span.

The Lakers are off until Friday when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. LA is 0-2 versus the Timberwolves. The teams will meet once again on March 26th at the Staples Center.