Kobe Bryant shot woefully. Pau Gasol did not assert himself in the paint. And Ron Artest was absent at the offensive end.

Yet, the Los Angeles Lakers still found a way to win against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden, 91-84. The defending champions now have a 2-1 lead over Boston in their best of seven series.

Bryant had a game-high 29 points, including crucial baskets in the third period that gave the Lakers cushion heading into the fourth. However, it was Derek Fisher who did the most damage against the Celtics.

The 36-year-old hit bank shot after bank shot in the fourth quarter to gather 16 points—11 of which came in the fourth.

The Celtics started the game on fire as Kevin Garnett scored the first six points of Boston. Laker coach Phil Jackson was forced to burn a timeout with a little over nine minutes remaining in the first. After that, the Lakers went on a scoring run and never looked back.

Garnett was determined to make a difference in this game, and he led the Celtics with 25 points. However, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce did not. Pierce had to work hard for his baskets, and Ray Allen had a woeful shooting night.

The Celtics will try to tie the series on Thursday.