Lakers 92, Celtics 83

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives into the lane while surrounded by three Celtics defenders during the first half Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol tries to get to a loose ball before Boston’s Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins (background) on Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and forward Pau Gasol force Celtics forward Kevin Garnett to pass after making a move in the lane Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum finishes off a dunk during play in the first half Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol takes a rebound from Celtics forward Paul Pierce during the first half Thursday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Luke Walton tries to get out of the way as Boston forward Paul Pierce loses his balance on Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Boston big men Kendrick Perkins (43) and Kevin Garnett (5) can’t prevent Lakers forward Pau Gasol from dunking for two on Thursday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks a shot by Celtics forward Paul Pierce on Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who finished with 20 points including nine in the fourth quarter, gets a hug from center Andrew Bynum as they celebrate their 92-83 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Boston guard Tony Allen can’t get the shot away against Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who had nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in the win Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Boston center Kendrick Perkins loses control of the ball while surrounded by Lakers (from left) Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and Kobe Bryant on Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom reacts after drawing a foul on a shot against the Celtics on Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic knocks the ball away from Celtics forward Paul Pierce.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers teammates along the bench celebrate after Sasha Vujacic made a layup and drew a foul on a loose-ball scramble in the first half Thursday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The Laker Girls perform in holiday outfits on Thursday during the Lakers-Celtics game at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A Lakers fan gets into the spirit of the day at Staples Center  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)