Resurgent Kobe Bryant hands momentum to the LA Lakers

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After losing the opening two games in Boston, Bryant scored 36 points, had seven rebounds and dominated defensively in LA on Tuesday night to clinch a scrappy 87-81 and pull back the deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

"Undoubtedly the win was due to the leadership of Kobe Bryant out there," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "He was aggressive right from the start."

Bouncing back: Bryant drives for a shot past Boston Celtics' Kendrick Perkins on Tuesday

Bryant added: "What I tried to do with my team mates is just stay calm. It wasn't the end of the world, trailing by two games. They (the Celtics) did a great job of defending home court. We knew we had to do the same."

The Lakers seemed to be coasting to victory as they led 77-70 with 4min 17sec to play. But, just like in Game Two in Boston, there was to be a dramatic finale as the visitors closed the gap to two points.

However, a three-pointer by Vujacic and two foul shots by Derek Fisher gave the Lakers an 83-76 lead with 1:33 left, after which there was no way back for the Celtics who, after shooting an impressive 42 and 53 per cent from the floor in the opening two games, slumped to just 35 per cent.

"It's frustrating when you don't play well but that's the breaks of the game," said Paul Pierce, the inspiration behind Boston's opening two victories.

"By no means does it break my confidence. We're happy we didn't play so well and had a chance. We still feel like we're the better team."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers praised the 20 points by Lakers reserve guard Vujacic, who landed seven out of 10 shots, including three three-pointers.

"He was huge," Rivers said of the Slovenian. "Kobe was fantastic but I thought Vujacic was the key to the game.

"We're going to have to win a game when Kobe Bryant plays well. We know that. But when that happens we have to shut off the other avenues."